Israeli scientists from Tel Aviv University (TAU) have uncovered a new method to destroy cancerous tumors, including those previously resistant to immunotherapy treatments.
Their findings, published in Nature Communications, reveal a novel cancer mechanism that prevents the immune system from targeting tumors, and how reversing this mechanism can stimulate a robust immune response.
The research team identified that certain cancers evade the immune system by producing high levels of a protein called Ly6a. By suppressing the immune system’s natural T-cell activity, this protein acts as a brake, blocking the body’s ability to fight cancer effectively.
In their study, researchers observed how ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure alters immune responses. Using a mouse model, they noted an unexpected rise in Ly6a protein levels after UV exposure. This increase led to an inhibition of T-cell activity, essential for immune defense against cancer cells.
By treating the cancer cells with Ly6a antibodies, the team effectively released this immune “brake,” reactivating T-cells and allowing the immune system to target the cancer aggressively. The results showed significant tumor reduction, even in cancer types that typically resist standard immunotherapies.
Tel Aviv University highlighted that this breakthrough could pave the way for innovative cancer drugs designed to harness the body’s immune system to fight off cancer cells effectively. The findings are promising for developing new treatments for patients with hard-to-treat cancers, offering hope for more effective cancer therapies in the future.
