New Discovery at Montefiore Einstein Cancer Centre: How Immune Cells Keep Cancer Dormant
Researchers at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Centre have discovered a natural immune response in mice that prevents cancer cells from forming new tumors. This study, led by Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, was published in the journal Cell. The research focuses on disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) that spread from primary tumors. Some DCCs remain dormant, and the study reveals that immune cells called alveolar macrophages keep these cells in a dormant state in the lungs.
Role of Alveolar Macrophages
Alveolar macrophages are immune cells in the lungs that protect against bacteria and pollutants. The study found that these cells secrete a protein called TGF-b2, which signals DCCs to remain dormant. This discovery suggests that similar macrophages in other organs might also keep DCCs in check.
Implications for Cancer Treatment
Dr. Aguirre-Ghiso’s team found that depleting alveolar macrophages in mice led to increased metastases. Understanding how these immune cells work could lead to new therapies to prevent cancer spread by keeping DCCs dormant or preventing them from becoming resistant to dormancy signals.
Doubts Revealed
Montefiore Einstein Cancer Centre -: The Montefiore Einstein Cancer Centre is a research and treatment facility in the United States that focuses on understanding and treating cancer. It is named after two famous people, Montefiore and Einstein, who contributed to medical science.
Immune cells -: Immune cells are special cells in our body that help fight off infections and diseases. They act like tiny soldiers, protecting us from harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses.
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 particles that we breathe in.
Dormant -: Dormant means inactive or asleep. In this context, it means that the cancer cells are not growing or spreading.
Metastatic cancer -: Metastatic cancer is when cancer cells spread from the original tumor to other parts of the body. It makes the cancer more difficult to treat.
Macrophages -: Macrophages are a type of immune cell that can eat and destroy harmful substances in the body. They play a crucial role in keeping us healthy by cleaning up unwanted materials.
Metastases -: Metastases are new tumors that form when cancer cells spread to other parts of the body. They are a sign that cancer is spreading.