PNAS: A new breakthrough to help the immune system fight cancer

Scientists have identified a new method to limit the activity of a group of cells that regulate the immune system, which in turn can release other immune cells to attack tumors in cancer patients

Related results were published in PNAS magazine

“The patient’s immune system is not only able to detect and remove cancer cells, but immunotherapy has recently become a new treatment for many different types of cancer

The detection and elimination of cancer cells by the immune system is partly carried out by a group of cells called Teffector cells (Teffs)

Professor Divecha added: “Tregs play an important role in the human body, because without them, the immune system will get out of control and attack the body’s normal cells

But the molecules released by tumor cells complicate the problem by attracting and accumulating Treg, which further reduces the activity and function of Teff cells

In this new study, scientists show how inhibiting a family of enzymes called PIP4K in cells may be the answer to how to limit Tregs without affecting Teffs

The research team isolated Tregs from healthy donors and used genetic technology to inhibit the production of PIP4K protein

Importantly, the loss of the same enzymes in Teff cells does not limit their activity

"This is surprising because the concentration of PIP4K in the two types of T cells is similar, but our research shows that they seem to be more important to the function of Tregs than Teffectors," said Dr.

Inhibition of PIP4K as a potential treatment for patients requires the development of inhibitory molecules

(Biocom)

Original title:

PIP4Ks impact on PI3K, FOXP3 and UHRF1 signaling and modulate human regulatory T-cell proliferation and immunosuppressive activity