A cell therapy that amplifies the immune response of T cells against cancerous tumors was developed by Canadian scientists associated with the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center (HMR) and the Université de Montréal.
Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment in which cancer is attacked from within, stimulating the immune system rather than attacking tumors with chemicals.
The work of Dr. Christopher E. Rudd and his colleagues has shown that a protein unknown to date in T cells interacts with the key receptor that recognizes and responds to cancer antigens.
As a result of this discovery, the team created a new form of immunotherapy in which T cells become overactive to enter the tumor and attack.
Modulation of the discovered protein can activate the immune system and destroy the cancer cells.
Christopher E. Rudd
Encouraging results
To date, the effectiveness of this new form of immunotherapy against leukemia and certain skin cancers has been tested in animals.
Researchers now want to test this cancer treatment in human subjects in clinical trials.
This discovery is a breakthrough scientific breakthrough because it will have a significant influence on the immune system’s effectiveness in eliminating cancer cells.
Denis-Claude Roy, Scientific and Medical Director of the Center of Excellence in Cell Therapy and the HMR Research Center
If these results are confirmed, the technique will also improve the effectiveness of the new cell therapy (CAR-T cells) recently offered at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont.
The results of this study have just been published in the prestigious journal Nature (Nouvelle fenêtre)
