by According to a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Helsinki, blood cancer cells have been found to possess mechanisms that allow them to escape the body’s natural killer (NK) cells, a key component of the immune system. The findings of this study shed light on the resistance mechanisms employed by these cancer cells, paving the way for the development of novel treatment approaches.
Traditionally, T-cell therapies have been used to target malignant blood cells in certain forms of blood cancer. Despite their success in some cases, not all patients benefit from these therapies and may experience severe side effects. As a result, researchers have started exploring alternative strategies utilizing other types of immune cells, such as NK cells, to tackle blood cancers.
NK cells act as surveillance agents within the body, constantly on the lookout for abnormal cancerous or virally infected cells. Once identified, NK cells destroy these targeted cells. The research team aimed to assess the mechanisms underlying the resistance and sensitivity to NK cell therapies in various types of blood cancers.
Employing a technique called single-cell RNA sequencing, the scientists examined the activity of genes in both NK cells and cancer cells when exposed to each other. This technique allows for the identification of active genes within individual cells and is considered the gold standard for molecularly characterizing cell states.
The researchers observed that NK cells do not respond uniformly to all cancer cells. While some cancer cells provoked a robust activation of NK cells, leading to the destruction of cancer cells, others failed to trigger any response from NK cells. By using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing method, the scientists were able to manipulate the genes in cancer cells and determine which alterations made the cancer cells more susceptible to being killed by NK cells.
Several genes were identified as playing a role in the sensitivity and resistance mechanisms of NK cells. These included both known mechanisms, such as antigen presentation and death receptor regulation, as well as previously unrecognized factors like adhesion-related glycoproteins, protein fucosylation genes, and transcriptional regulators. Targeting the proteins produced by these genes with treatments like antibodies could result in improved cancer immunotherapies in the future.
The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular changes that occur when NK cells interact with blood cancer cells. This knowledge will serve as a valuable resource for researchers investigating blood malignancies and aid in the development of personalized NK cell immunotherapies.
Professor Satu Mustjoki, an expert in translational hematology, emphasizes the significance of the study, stating that it highlights the underlying mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to NK cell-mediated killing. Associate Professor Constantine Mitsiades further emphasizes the importance of understanding the mechanisms responsible for immunotherapy resistance across different types of cancers, as demonstrated by this study’s findings.
With the knowledge gained from this research, scientists can now focus on developing targeted therapies that enhance NK cell responses and overcome the immune evasion strategies employed by blood cancer cells. This breakthrough brings hope for improved treatment options and better outcomes for patients affected by blood cancers.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
