White Blood Cells May Be Harnessed to Boost Cancer Immunotherapy

AHA Publisher — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Jon Schiller via Israel21c – White blood cells called Eosinophils can be “summoned” in order to fight cancer by both destroying the cancer cells directly as well as recruiting the immune system’s cancer-fighting T-cells, according to a new study published in the journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Eosinophils produce powerful destructive proteins intended for fighting parasites. However, in the modern Western world, where high levels of hygiene have significantly reduced the risk of many parasites, eosinophils can be harmful, inducing allergies and asthma. Considering the destructive power of eosinophils, the researchers decided to test the potential benefits of these white blood cells if turned against cancer cells. Examining tissue samples of lung metastases taken from breast cancer patients, the researchers found that eosinophils reach the lungs and penetrate cancerous tissues, where they often release their destructive proteins and summon T-cells for reinforcement. Ultimately, T-cells gather in the affected lungs, slowing the growth of tumors. In the absence of eosinophils, lung metastases were much larger than those exposed to the white blood cells. These findings led to the conclusion that eosinophils could serve as a basis for improved immunotherapeutic medications to fight cancer effectively. “We chose to focus on lung metastases for two main reasons. First, metastases, and not the primary tumors, are often the main problem in treating cancer, and the lungs are a major target for the metastasis of many types of cancer,” said lead researcher Prof. Ariel Munitz of Tel Aviv University’s department of microbiology and clinical immunology. “Second, in a preliminary study we demonstrated that eosinophils gather in tumors developing in mucous tissues like the lungs, and therefore assumed that they would be found in lung metastases as well,” he added. Compared to traditional techniques like chemotherapy, immunotherapy generally leads to longer protection from cancer and fewer side effects. This new discovery may contribute to the development of new methods of immunotherapy. “Enhancing the number and power of T-cells is one of the main targets of immunotherapy treatments administered to cancer patients today,” said Munitz. To read the original article click here.

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White Blood Cells Can Help Destroy Cancer Cells – Israeli Study

AHA Publisher — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 07:00:56 +0000

Jerusalem Post Staff via Jerusalem Post– A type of white blood cells known as eosinophils can help the body fight cancer, and are used to fight cancer metastasis (cancer cells breaking away from the original infection) in the lungs, a new study study from Tel Aviv University has revealed. Prof. Ariel Munitz and doctoral student Sharon Grisauri of the Department of Microbiology and Clinical IImmunology at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine led the research, which was published in the academic journal Cancer Research. Eosinophils are white blood cells in the immune system that produce destructive proteins, originally intended to fight parasites. The team examined biopsies of the lung metastases from breast cancer patients. They discovered that eosinophils reach the lungs and enter the cancer tissues, often releasing the destructive proteins they carry. High levels of hygiene, especially in the Western world, have significantly reduced parasites but eosinophils often react negatively to humans, as they introduce problems such as allergies and asthma. “We chose to focus on lung metastases of many types of cancer,” Munitz explained in a statement. “First, metastases, and not the primary tumors, are often the main problem in treating cancer, and the lungs are a major target for the metastasis of many types of cancer. Second, in a preliminary study, we demonstrated that eosinophils gather in tumors developing in mucous tissues like the lungs, and therefore assumed that they would be found in lung metastases as well.” For the testing, the researchers used animal models. The results showed that lung metastases developed in the absence of eosinophils that were much larger than those exposed to eosinophils. The conclusion was that eosinophils fight cancer effectively. But, how can eosinophils fight cancer effectively? “We observed that when eosinophils are missing, the tissue also lacks T-cells – white blood cells known for fighting cancer,” Munitz explained. “Consequently, we assumed that eosinophils combat cancer through T-cells. Our next task was to understand the mechanism underlying this process.” In essence, the eosinophils release chemokines, which summons T-cells, whenever they come into contact with cancer. This, essentially allows for the eosinophils to call for reinforcements, backing them up to better fight the cancer. These findings could help pave the way for improved cancer treatments in the future. To read the original article click here.

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White Blood Cells May Be Harnessed to Boost Cancer Immunotherapy

White Blood Cells Can Help Destroy Cancer Cells – Israeli Study