BREAKTHROUGH: Scientists Identify Cancer 'Kill Switch'

 Researchers in the US have discovered a cancer cell "kill switch", activated by a specific protein segment, that can pave the way for groundbreaking treatments. This discovery, which focuses on the exterior of tumor cells, is not only significant for the development of new cancer medications, but it also indicates the potential for strengthening present therapeutic procedures for fighting cancer.

For example, it has the potential to allow chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to be used against solid tumors such as those found in the breast, lung, and prostate. The new technique involves giving cancer patients T-cells that have been precisely designed to locate and eliminate tumors. 

 The problem, according to Dr. Jogender Tushir-Singh, one of the researchers, is treating solid tumors since immune cells given intravenously struggle to permeate microenvironments and deliver therapeutic benefits. cancer cells

CD95 receptors, also known as Fas receptors, are found on the surface of cancer cells. When engaged, these receptors provide a signal that causes self-destruction. Despite the fact that these receptors have long been known about, attempts to activate them have been ineffective.

According to researchers at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, a specific section on the receptor can activate the destruction process when targeted. The findings of their cell and mouse tests have been published in the journal Cell Death & Differentiation. 

 

Dr. Tushir-Singh said: 'Now that we've identified this epitope, there could be a therapeutic path forward to target Fas in tumors.' 

 

Currently, conventional methods like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy remain the established protocols for treating cancer patients. However, children with leukemia and adults with lymphoma may have access to CAR T-cell therapy.

The process involves collecting and altering their own T cells, which are responsible for fighting off infections and other diseases but are unable to detect cancer cells. These customized cells are reintroduced into the bloodstream via intravenous infusion. Theoretically, these CAR T-cells are programmed to identify and combat cancer cells.

Although effective against blood cancers, there is a chance of cancer recurrence in a small percentage of patients undergoing this treatment. Additionally, patients with solid tumors currently do not have access to this treatment. Dr. Tushir-Singh suggests that, theoretically, a treatment designed to target the cancer kill 'switch' could eradicate any remaining cancer cells post-CAR T-cell therapy. 

 

This has the potential to have a two-fold effect on cancers. Furthermore, it could support CAR T-cell treatment in solid tumors, although the mechanism is unknown. The research further indicates that individuals with a mutated epitope on their CD95 receptor fail to respond to CAR-T therapy.

 

Dr. Tushir-Singh pointed out that changes in this epitope could be used to identify people who are candidates for CAR T-cell treatment. The team is presently developing a novel set of antibodies capable of attaching to and activating this specific kill switch.

However, it is unknown whether this treatment will work and, if so, which malignancies it will be able to remove. Furthermore, the lengthy process of testing means that any new therapies require years before reaching patients.

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Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy face higher risk of developing shingles

Patients suffering from cancer and those treated with chemotherapy may be at 40 per cent increased risk of developing shingles, compared with those not having cancer, finds a new study. Shingles (herpes zoster) -- marked by painful rashes and skin blisters -- is caused by the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox. The virus remains dormant in the body but causes shingles if it reactivates later in life.

The study showed that patients with a blood-related cancer had the greatest shingles risk of more than three times compared to people without cancer, it was reported. The higher risk among blood cancer patients was present two years before their cancer diagnosis.

In addition, those with a solid tumour including cancer in the lung, breast, prostate or other organs had a 30 per cent higher risk of shingles than people without cancer, lead researcher was quoted as saying.

However, this greater risk was largely associated with receiving chemotherapy treatment, rather than with the cancer itself.

"These findings have important implications in view of recent advances in development of zoster vaccines," added a researcher.

Development of new vaccines might help prevent shingles in cancer patients and may be safe for people with weakened immune systems, including those receiving chemotherapy, according to the study.

For the study, the team included about 240,000 cancer patients in Australia. 

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Super drug' for pediatric blood cancer may soon be reality

A "super drug" that helps slow down the progression of blood cancer in children could soon become a reality, say researchers.

Patients with leukemia have a very low percentage of red blood cells, making them anemic, and have approximately 80 times more white blood cells than people without cancer.

However, the survival rate is only 30 per cent for children diagnosed with MLL-translocation leukemia, a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.

"These white blood cells infiltrate many of the tissues and organs of the affected individuals and is a major cause of death in leukemia patients," said a scientist.

 "This is a monster cancer that we've been dealing with for many years in children.

"We're finally at a point where in five to 10 years, we can get a drug in kids that can be effective. If we can bring that survival rate up to 85 per cent, that's a major accomplishment," he said.

In the study, the team demonstrated that when a key protein responsible for leukemia, MLL, is stabilised, it slows the progression of the leukemia.

This MLL stabilisation process could potentially work in cancers with solid tumours, such as breast or prostate cancer.

The next step will be to combine the treatments from the past two years of research into a pediatric leukemia "super drug" to test on humans in a clinical trial, the researchers said.

"This opens up a new therapeutic approach not only for leukemia, which is so important for the many children who are diagnosed with this terrible cancer, but also for other types of cancers that plague the population," the study showed.

The team also identified compounds that could slow cancer growth by interrupting a gene transcription process known as "Super Elongation Complex " (SEC). 

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