What did the researchers find?
According to the study, published two weeks ago in Science, researchers determined that deleting the SRC-3 gene in immune cells known as Tregs triggers a lifelong anticancer response that destroys tumors without negative side effects. . The researchers found positive results when Tregs without the SRC-3 gene were transferred into animals with breast cancer tumors, in which the tumors were killed for a long time without negative effects.
These results encourage further investigations to determine the value of this approach in the treatment of cancer in humans.
Inducible protein control method
And via Dr. Burt W. O’Malley, study co-lead author and dean of Bayler’s School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, was impressed with the results: “Nearly 30 years ago, our lab discovered a protein we called steroid receptor promoter (SRC) that is essential for efficient regulation of gene activity. Since then, we have discovered that a family of SRC inducers regulate the activity of a variety of cellular functions.
The labs of Dr. O’Malley and his colleagues have taken a particular interest in the SRC-3 gene and its role in cancer over the years. They found that SRC-3 is not only highly present in all types of human cancers and contributes to cancer growth, but is also abundantly present in Tregs that regulate cancer immune response.
Dr. O’Malley and his team report that Tregs lacking the SRC-3 gene were able to permanently destroy tumors by altering the environment around the tumor to make it suitable for tumor destruction.
The researchers found that the modified Tregs proliferate exponentially and preferentially infiltrate breast tumors, where they secrete compounds that trigger an anti-tumor immune response.
Additionally, the modified Tregs prevent other immune cells from shutting down the anti-tumor response.
Commenting on the promising results, Dr. Sang-Joon Han, first author of the study and Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Bayler’s Center for Reproductive Medicine, said, “We are very excited about the results; Overall, these results underscore the need for further research to translate the findings into a new, more effective and long-lasting treatment for cancer.
Dr David Leonard, one of the study’s lead researchers, said he hoped “this breakthrough approach could be an effective way to treat cancer”.
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