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A new pathway to shrink cancerous tumors through body's immune cells

Researchers influence white blood cells, called macrophages, to slow or reverse disease progression

Date:
April 20, 2022
Source:
Case Western Reserve University
Summary:
Cancer researchers say they have successfully suppressed the growth of some solid tumors in research models by manipulating immune cells known as a macrophages.
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Cancer researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine say they have successfully suppressed the growth of some solid tumors in research models by manipulating immune cells known as a macrophages.

The researchers say this discovery is significant as many solid tumor cancers like lung cancer are difficult to treat. According to the National Cancer Institute, breast, lung, prostate and colorectal cancers -- which are all solid tumor cancers-account for almost half of all new cancer cases in the United States.

In this new research, the scientists discovered that altering the macrophage metabolism -- and in doing so influence their relationship with T cells -- suppressed the tumor's growth. The result was a significant reduction in overall tumor size in some mouse models.

"The race to find a cure for cancer never stops," said Stanley Huang, an assistant professor of immunology in the Department of Pathology at the School of Medicine, who led the research. "Our research creates a pathway to a [potential] new form of cancer treatment for those with solid tumor cancers."

The study appeared recently in the journal, Nature Immunology.

T cells and macrophages

Generally, the body's immune response to disease involves mobilizing white blood cells that attack invaders like germs and bacteria.

Macrophages are specialized white blood cells that consume invading cells to destroy pathogens. They are considered the "frontline soldiers" of the body's immune system and can activate T cells, which are another type of white blood cell.

Yet, despite their typically protective role, macrophages can be co-opted by tumor cells to encourage tumor growth.

Targeting macrophages and PERK protein

As tumors grow and macrophages interact with the tumor cells, they create a response protein, which the study linked to tumor growth.

Huang said the team believed it was possible to target macrophages and that protein -- known to scientists by its shorthand, PERK ("protein kinase R" (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase) to block tumor growth.

"Knocking out PERK suppresses downstream metabolic signaling in tumor macrophages, resulting in more T cells to fight the cancer cells," said Huang.

Findings and future steps

The study's findings suggest that the PERK protein is involved in several key pathways of metabolism in macrophages -- and when the gene is removed, macrophages can no longer promote tumor growth; meaning tumors become smaller.

Follow-up experiments further revealed that combination treatment of a PERK inhibitor drug with an inhibitor called "anti-PD-1" could significantly reduce tumor growth.

Next, the researchers hope to identify a clinical drug that will act as an inhibitor for the PERK protein.

"There are several strategies to enhance anti-tumor immunity like targeting or editing cell metabolism," Huang said. "We can target genes and their pathways to enhance immune function and work toward future therapeutic treatment options."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Case Western Reserve University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Lydia N. Raines, Haoxin Zhao, Yuzhu Wang, Heng-Yi Chen, Hector Gallart-Ayala, Pei-Chun Hsueh, Wei Cao, Yeojung Koh, Ana Alamonte-Loya, Pu-Ste Liu, Julijana Ivanisevic, Chan-Wang Jerry Lio, Ping-Chih Ho, Stanley Ching-Cheng Huang. PERK is a critical metabolic hub for immunosuppressive function in macrophages. Nature Immunology, 2022; 23 (3): 431 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01145-x

Cite This Page:

Case Western Reserve University. "A new pathway to shrink cancerous tumors through body's immune cells." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 April 2022. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220420133530.htm>.
Case Western Reserve University. (2022, April 20). A new pathway to shrink cancerous tumors through body's immune cells. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220420133530.htm
Case Western Reserve University. "A new pathway to shrink cancerous tumors through body's immune cells." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220420133530.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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