Adrian JohnsonTLDR:
A new technology has been developed to increase the visibility of cancer cells to the immune system, potentially leading to a new way to treat cancer. The technology involves augmenting the amount of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, which is responsible for the immune system’s recognition and elimination of cancer cells. The researchers developed a method to restore the levels of MHC class I in cancer cells without causing severe side effects. In animal cancer models, the technology reduced tumor sizes and increased the activity of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. When used with existing immunotherapy, the technology enhanced treatment efficacy.
A new technology has been developed by researchers from Hokkaido University and Texas A&M Health Center that could lead to a new way to treat cancer. The technology aims to increase the visibility of cancer cells to the immune system, making them more likely to be recognized and eliminated. It focuses on increasing the levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, which are immune molecules present on the surface of all cells in humans. MHC class I molecules are responsible for the immune system’s recognition and elimination of cancer cells. However, cancer cells actively reduce their levels of MHC class I molecules when faced with pressure from the immune system, allowing them to hide from immune cells.
The researchers, led by Professor Koichi Kobayashi of Hokkaido University and Dr. Paul de Figueiredo of the University of Missouri, have developed a method to boost the levels of MHC class I in cancer cells. They identified a gene called NLRC5, which regulates MHC class I levels, and found that it is suppressed in cancer cells through a process called DNA methylation. The researchers developed a technology called the TRED-I system, which restores DNA methylation of the NLRC5 gene and activates NLRC5, thereby increasing MHC class I levels in cancer cells. The TRED-I system was tested in animal cancer models and was found to reduce tumor sizes and increase the activity of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, which are the immune system’s primary cancer-fighting cells.
The researchers also found that when the TRED-I system was used in conjunction with existing immunotherapy, it significantly enhanced treatment efficacy. Additionally, the TRED-I system was effective in treating cancers that had metastasized to distant sites in the body. The researchers believe that the TRED-I system has the potential to transform the way cancer treatment is approached and could offer hope to patients who are resistant to current immunotherapy.
The researchers plan to further refine the TRED-I system and develop drugs that can directly deliver it to cancer patients. These drugs could improve the efficacy of the immune system in eliminating cancer and improve the response to existing therapy. Overall, the development of this new technology represents a significant advancement in the field of cancer treatment and has the potential to greatly improve patient outcomes.
