Cell: Revealing that neutrophil elastase selectively kills cancer cells and is expected to develop a new anti-cancer therapy

June 30, 2021/Bio Valley BIOON/---In a new study, researchers from the University of Chicago described an extraordinary new mechanism: Using this mechanism, the body’s own immune system can Destroy cancer cells without damaging the host cells

Our immune system plays a key role in our ability to fight disease and maintain our health

As a type of white blood cell, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) provides a powerful clue

The corresponding author of the paper, Dr.

Using human and mouse models, Becker and colleagues observed that ELANE initiates a complex cancer killing program that inhibits cell survival pathways, induces DNA damage, increases the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and ultimately activates programmed cell death.

This series of events is triggered by the secretion of elastase PMN, which breaks down proteins into smaller molecules

ELANE continues to activate this program in many types of cancer cell lines, but not in any of the non-cancer cells tested

The picture is from Cell, 2021, doi:10.

Given that it can kill a range of cancer cells, this treatment may work regardless of the genetic makeup of the cancer

In addition to the above findings, these authors reported that they found differences in the release of active ELANE between human and mouse neutrophils, and found that porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE), which is similar to ELANE But proteins that are less sensitive to tumor inhibitors can induce better treatment responses

These authors stated that future research needs to understand how to maximize the therapeutic effect of ELANE/PPE, whether as a monotherapy or in combination with other cancer treatments

Reference materials:

Chang Cui et al.