"Nature" newly discovered a tumor "anti-theft net" molecule

Researchers at George Washington University have discovered a key molecule in certain breast cancers that prevents immune cells from entering the tumor and kills cancer cells in the body

"During the development of cancer, this molecule, called DDR1, organizes a high-order extracellular matrix, like a barbed wire surrounding the tumor border, preventing immune cells from entering the tumor," said Ross Professor of Basic Science at George Washington University , Said Rong Li, the first author of this paper

Li and his colleagues studied triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive cancer that accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancer cases

In a study in Nature, researchers evaluated the impact of removing DDR1 in multiple preclinical models

Combining these new findings, co-corresponding author Zhiqiang An has developed a therapeutic antibody targeting DDR1, which can break this line of defense and help immune cells that kill tumors enter

"The discovery of the important role of DDR1 in cancer resistance is a major advancement that has the potential to change treatment pathways," said An, the director of the Texas Therapeutic Institute and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) professor of molecular medicine

With a more comprehensive understanding of DDR1, researchers also hope to identify additional molecules like DDR1 and use the same method to combat other cancers

Tumour DDR1 Promotes Collagen Fibre Alignment to Instigate Immune Exclusion