{
  "id": 897710,
  "title": "New mechanism may help predict and improve macrophage-targeted cancer immunotherapy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/new-mechanism-may-help-predict-and-improve-macrophage-targeted-cancer",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-14T18:20:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-mechanism-macrophage-cancer-immunotherapy.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study from Karolinska Institutet suggests that a mechanism involving functional endosomal Toll-like receptors, particularly TLR9, could help predict and enhance macrophage-targeted cancer immunotherapy. The researchers found that the success of immunotherapy targeting tumor-associated macrophages depends on these receptors enabling the macrophages to respond to the treatment. Without functional TLR9, macrophages remain in an immunosuppressive state and the treatment is ineffective, as observed in mouse models. When TLR9 activation is combined with the immunotherapy, the treatment effect is enhanced, indicating that TLR9 could potentially boost the response and make the treatment more effective. Furthermore, analysis of human tumor samples showed associations between the expression of the treatment target MARCO and TLR9, suggesting that these mechanisms may also be relevant in humans. The study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Toronto, Rockefeller University, and university hospital clinical departments, used mouse models and aims to develop and test new treatment strategies, including combinations of immunotherapies, to improve effectiveness in patients with currently difficult-to-treat tumors.",
  "summary": "A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Communications, may help improve macrophage-targeted cancer immunotherapy. The research found that the effectiveness of this treatment depends on a group of receptors known as endosomal Toll-like receptors, particularly TLR9. When these receptors are absent, macrophages remain in an immunosuppressive state, rendering the treatment ineffective. The study also suggests that combining the immunotherapy with substances that activate TLR9 could enhance the treatment's effectiveness. Additionally, analyzing human tumor samples revealed links between the expression of the treatment target MARCO and TLR9 in various cancers, indicating that these mechanisms may also be relevant in humans. The findings could aid in identifying which tumors may respond to the treatment and pave the way for new combination therapies in cancer treatment.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}