Researchers discover immune 'off switch' used by cancer cells
Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a protein that cancer cells use to shut down the body's immune response, a discovery that could help scientists develop new treatments that make cancer immunotherapies more effective.
Researchers have identified a protein called TRAILshort that cancer cells use to shut down the body's immune response, potentially paving the way for improved cancer treatments. Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study reveals that TRAILshort prevents T cells from recognizing and destroying cancer and virus-infected cells, restoring their activity when blocked.
This discovery was made by Mayo Clinic researchers who have studied TRAILshort since 2006, initially discovering it while investigating HIV. The protein, which appears in various conditions such as cancer, HIV, COVID-19, tuberculosis, lupus, and Crohn's disease, acts as a molecular brake, directly suppressing T-cell activity through a protein called SHP-1.
Blocking TRAILshort in preclinical models improved immune responses and enhanced the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy, which has shown promise in treating certain cancers. The researchers believe TRAILshort could serve as a biomarker to identify tumors more likely to respond to targeted therapies. Future studies are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of targeting TRAILshort in clinical settings, but this discovery offers a new, actionable approach to regulating the immune system for various diseases.
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