Researchers Developing New Cancer Therapy Using Proteins To Boost Immune System To Help Attack Tumors

New research findings suggest scientists may have developed a new type of immunotherapy for cancer, using the body's own immune system to attack tumors.

Though the possible medical advancement is not ready for clinical trials on humans, researcher performed tests on animals to shrink tumors with causing unwanted autoimmune responses, according to a news release.

The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine. According to researchers, the key use protein to control immune function.

"This preclinical study demonstrates proof of principle that using a drug to regulate the function of a special, immunosuppressive subset of so-called T-regulatory (Treg) cells safely controls tumor growth," said study leader Wayne W. Hancock, M.D., Ph.D., of the Division of Transplant Immunology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), in a news release. "It really moves the field along towards a potentially major, new cancer immunotherapy."

The study focused on subtype of immune cells called Foxp3+ Tregs, for short. According to the news release, Tregs limit autoimmunity, but restrict immune responses against tumors

"There's a basic paradox in immunology: why doesn't the immune system prevent cancer in the first place?" said Hancock. "...We needed to find a way to reduce Treg function in a way that permits antitumor activity without allowing autoimmune reactions."

The news release explained the researcher's findings:

Hancock's group showed that inhibiting the enzyme p300 can affect the functions of another protein, Foxp3, which plays a key role in controlling the biology of Tregs. By deleting the gene that expresses p300, the researchers safely reduced Treg function and limited tumor growth in mice. Notably, they also achieved the same effects on p300 and Tregs in mice by using a drug that inhibits p300 in normal mice.

Hancock's research team wants to continue their research further investigations into targeting p300 in immunotherapy. Hancock added pharmaceutical companies have expressed interest in his study's findings.