Oncoimmunology: discovery of natural molecules in human body that can enhance anti-tumor immunotherapy

May 31, 2019 / BIOON / - cancer therapy that uses immune cells to stimulate the body to attack tumors can be improved by a molecule that enhances its function Studies in mice have found that the improved treatment has a strong anti-cancer immune response, leading to tumor shrinkage Preliminary experiments show that the molecule has similar effects on human cells and may promote the success of cancer treatment The molecule, known as LL-37, is the body's natural response to infection and helps kill harmful bacteria and viruses Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have found that it also affects immune cells and enhances their function In particular, this molecule enhances the function of specific cells, which are responsible for initiating targeted immune responses called dendritic cells Image source: oncoimmunology dendritic cells have been used in cancer treatment because they can trigger other immune cells to recognize and attack tumors This method usually involves taking samples of the patient's own cells, culturing them under special laboratory conditions, and then injecting them into the patient's body This process is expensive and hindered by the difficulty of preparing enough dendritic cells, which have the right properties for treatment Researchers at the University's Inflammation Research Center found that when dendritic cells grow in the laboratory, adding LL-37 to them can increase the production of cells suitable for clinical use The cells cultured in this way can help to reduce the size of the tumor and, in some cases, remove it completely Early tests have shown that LL-37 has a similar effect on human cells, but further research is needed, the researchers said The study, published in the Journal oncoimmunology, was funded by the Medical Research Council and the Royal Society Dr Emily gwyer Findlay, of the University of Edinburgh's Center for inflammatory research, said: "our previous study focused on the potential role of LL-37 in the fight against infection, but it is exciting that we now find that this naturally occurring substance of the body can also be used for new cancer treatments We hope that our findings will create new opportunities by overcoming some of the current barriers to effective use of dendritic cell cancer therapy "Reference materials: Emily gwyer Findlay et al, exposure to the environmental power LL-37 produces dental cells optimized for immunology, oncoimmunology (2019) Doi: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1608106