Montefiore Einstein Cancer Centre Discovers How Immune Cells Keep Cancer Dormant
Researchers at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Centre (MECCC) have made a significant discovery about how the body’s immune system can prevent cancer cells from spreading. This research, led by Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, was published in the journal Cell.
Understanding Metastatic Cancer
Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer cells move from the original tumor to other parts of the body. These cells, known as disseminated cancer cells (DCCs), can either start new tumors immediately or remain dormant for years.
The Role of Alveolar Macrophages
In studies involving mice with breast cancer, researchers found that immune cells called alveolar macrophages play a crucial role in keeping DCCs dormant in the lungs. These macrophages, which are present from early development, secrete a protein called TGF-b2 that signals the cancer cells to stay inactive.
Potential for New Therapies
Dr. Aguirre-Ghiso suggests that understanding how these immune cells work could lead to new treatments for preventing cancer spread. By enhancing macrophage signaling, it might be possible to keep DCCs dormant indefinitely or stop them from becoming resistant to dormancy signals.
Future Implications
This discovery opens the door to potential new therapies that could prevent or treat metastatic cancer, addressing one of the most critical challenges in cancer treatment today.
Doubts Revealed
Montefiore Einstein Cancer Centre -: Montefiore Einstein Cancer Centre is a research and treatment center in the United States that focuses on studying and treating cancer. They conduct scientific studies to find new ways to fight cancer.
Immune cells -: Immune cells are special cells in our body that help protect us from diseases and infections. They are like tiny soldiers that fight off germs and keep us healthy.
Alveolar macrophages -: Alveolar macrophages are a type of immune cell found in the lungs. They help keep the lungs clean by eating up dust, bacteria, and other harmful particles.
Cancer dormant -: When cancer is dormant, it means the cancer cells are not growing or spreading. They are inactive, like they are sleeping, which is good because it means the cancer is not getting worse.
Metastatic cancer -: Metastatic cancer is when cancer cells spread from the original place they started to other parts of the body. This makes the cancer more serious and harder to treat.
Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso -: Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso is a scientist who leads research studies. He works to understand how cancer behaves and how we can stop it from spreading.
Protein -: Proteins are important molecules in our body that do many jobs, like building muscles and helping cells communicate. In this study, a protein helps tell cancer cells to stay inactive.
Resistant -: When something is resistant, it means it can withstand or fight against something else. In cancer, if cells become resistant, they can survive treatments that are supposed to kill them.