BJC: discover new ways to use the immune system to treat cancer

October 18, 2019 / BIOON / -- a study published in the British Journal of cancer recently found that a naturally occurring molecule and an integral part of the immune system can successfully target and kill cancer cells, or encourage the immune system to fight against cancer recurrence By Livio from King's College London Several research teams led by Professor mallucci have found that β - galactoside binding protein (β GBP), a natural molecule produced by immune cells, can non-specific target cancer cells and cause cancer cells to die This is achieved by a stress response pathway that enables the immune system to recognize cancer cells, which can induce anti-cancer immune response and prevent recurrence Photo source: BJC has made great progress in anti-cancer treatment in the past decade, but because only a small number of patients respond to the treatment, further development is needed It is essential to induce the immune system to ensure long-term protection against cancer recurrence Current approaches to this goal include killing cells with chemotherapy drugs and other potentially harmful agents with uncertain results "In contrast, β GBP is a selective antitumor drug that does not damage normal cells β - GBP is effective on the most malignant colorectal cancer cells and all kinds of other cancer cells Professor Livio mallucci, chief author of the school of cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences at King's College London, said: "this study provides experimental evidence for a strategy in which cancer cells are targeted and combined with immune stimulation to promote an immediate and long-term response to aggressive cancer The clinical transformation of β - GBP can open up a new safe treatment method, which can be combined with directly killing cancer cells and stimulating the immune system to prevent recurrence, which is an important step in cancer management "References: Livio Mallucci et al Sourcing the immune system to induce immunogenic cell death in Kras-colorectal cancer cells British Journal of cancer.doihttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-019-0561-z