Researchers at the University of Chicago have identified a molecular mechanism that may contribute to enhancing the immune system's ability to combat tumors after radiation therapy, by controlling the "TET2" protein, which plays a role in regulating the functions of certain immune cells, potentially leading them to limit the immune response against cancer.
Activating the Protein and Suppressing Immunity
The scientific website "Medical Xpress" reported on Saturday that the study published in the journal "Cancer Cell" found that radiation therapy may activate this protein in immune cells present in the bone marrow, causing them to shift toward a function that suppresses the immune response against tumors.
Redirecting T Cells
Experiments showed that inhibiting the "TET2" protein helped redirect these immune cells to become more capable of activating T cells, which play a fundamental role in recognizing and attacking cancer cells. The results also indicated that combining protein inhibition with radiation therapy contributed to limiting tumor growth and spread in animal models.
Future Therapeutic Prospects
The results suggest the potential to utilize this mechanism in developing therapeutic approaches that combine radiation and immunotherapy, providing a basis for further research into the role of the "TET2" protein in the immune response to tumors. However, applying this approach to patients requires clinical studies to evaluate its safety and efficacy, while radiation therapy is known as using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells and limit their growth.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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