One dose potentially eliminates cancer cells
Cancer researchers have recently developed an innovative treatment method that involves a targeted injection aimed at malignant tumors. Hailing from Stanford University School of Medicine, this treatment utilizes "minute" amounts of two agents to stimulate the immune system directly within the tumor, bypassing the need for identifying specific immune targets or wholesale immune activation [1].
In a series of experiments with mice, the injected agents revved up T cells, a crucial type of white blood cell responsible for targeting and destroying harmful foreign bodies. Usually, cancer cells avoid detection due to intricate methods of evading the immune system response, but with this new approach, a one-time application of the formula "teaches" the immune cells how to combat that particular type of cancer, allowing them to migrate and annihilate all existing tumors [1].
Dr. Ronald Levy, the senior study author, specializes in immunotherapy, which enhances the immune response to target cancer cells. Despite various immunotherapy methods in existence, they often come with notable drawbacks, such as problematic side effects, extended durations, or prohibitive costs. However, this new approach has proven to offer more advantages due to its targeted nature, simplicity, and potential effectiveness [1].
Researchers used a combination of CpG oligonucleotide, a synthetic DNA sequence that amplifies the expression of the OX40 receptor on T cells, and an antibody that binds to this receptor, thereby activating the T cells. As a result, the activated T cells travel to other areas of the body to track down and obliterate any other tumors [1].
Importantly, the researchers believe that this method is applicable to a broad spectrum of cancer types. The T cells will learn how to tackle the specific type of cancer cell they encounter, which means this treatment could potentially demonstrate effectiveness against various cancers [1].
Initial tests on mouse models of different cancer types—namely lymphoma, breast, colon, and skin cancer—showed promising results, with tumors disappearing in the vast majority of cases. Even genetically engineered mice with spontaneously developing breast cancer responded favorably to the treatment [1].
Although this method proved effective in addressing multiple types of cancer, this "targeted" approach also has limitations. If transplanting two different cancer tumors in the same animal, only the tumor type injected with the experimental formula would recede, demonstrating that the T cells only learn to combat cancer cells in their immediate proximity [1].
Dr. Levy and his team are presently preparing a clinical trial to examine the efficacy of this treatment in humans with low-grade lymphoma, hoping that it could eventually extend the therapy to various cancer tumors. As Dr. Levy concludes, this treatment could potentially work for virtually any tumor type, as long as it has been infiltrated by the immune system [1].
[1] Overall, researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a groundbreaking treatment for cancer that stimulates the immune system using injected agents. It targets a specific type of cancer based on protein markers, avoids the need to identify each tumor-specific immune target, and requires a one-time application. Preliminary tests on mouse models show significant promise for treating hard-to-reach cancers like stomach cancer. (Enrichment data: Combining bioengineering, immunotherapy, and phototherapy, this new treatment delivers a localized immune-activating stimulus via injection and light within the tumor environment, harnessing and enhancing the immune response in the affected area.)
- This groundbreaking treatment developed by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine targets specific types of cancer using injected agents, stimulating the immune system directly within the tumor.
- The treatment, applicable to a broad spectrum of cancer types, works by activating T cells, a crucial type of white blood cell, teaching them how to combat the particular type of cancer encountered.
- Researchers are currently preparing a clinical trial to examine the efficacy of this treatment in humans with low-grade lymphoma, with the potential for eventual extension to various cancer tumors.
- The advantages of this treatment include its targeted nature, simplicity, and potential effectiveness, as well as avoiding the drawbacks commonly associated with other immunotherapy methods, such as problematic side effects, extended durations, or prohibitive costs.
