The switch signals cancer cells to destroy themselves. The discovery offers opportunities to create new cancer treatments, as well as help improve existing tools such as immunotherapy.
A team from the University of California, Davis has identified a critical epitope of the CD95 receptor that is capable of causing tumor cell death. writes Eurekalert. CD95 receptors, also known as Fas, are called death receptors. They are located on cell membranes and, when activated, trigger a signal for cell self-destruction. For a long time, scientists were unable to target CD95 to manipulate it. Identification of the epitope, the region of the protein that triggers a cascade of reactions, finally solves a long-standing problem.
Once in the tumor, the receptors trigger programmed cell death. Thus, it is now possible to both attack the tumor directly in a new way and enhance immunotherapeutic approaches. For example, CD95 signaling is known from previous studies to be critical for the success of CAR T therapy.
Scientists now face the challenge of developing antibodies that selectively bind to the CD95 epitope to attack the tumor. This approach will allow the use of immunotherapy to treat solid tumors. Today, the effectiveness of this treatment for them is limited due to the cancer microenvironment, which does not allow immune cells to penetrate the tumor.
Previously, in another study, scientists demonstrated the effect of bacterial therapy against solid tumors. For example, they managed to destroy pancreatic cancer without the risk of relapse.
2023-10-24 10:04:38
#Cancer #cell #death #switch #discovered
