While immunotherapy has scored a significant level of success in treating many types of cancer, it hasn’t registered similar efficacy in leukemia, especially acute myeloid leukemia, also known as AML. Researchers at Lund University, Sweden have found a possible reason why this could be so.
The team sought to identify any unique surface proteins on leukemia cells that could be targeted with new forms of treatment, especially if those unique proteins didn’t exist on healthy cells. Thoas Fioretos, who led the research team, explains that they found one protein on the surface of leukemia stem cells and this particular protein wasn’t present on blood stem cells that were healthy.
The protein was discovered after taking blood samples from a trio of patients suffering from highly intractable AML. The study team mapped the proteins on these stem cells and then compared them to the mapping of stem cells taken from healthy individuals. The comparison identified SLAMF6 as a protein only occurring on the surface of leukemia cells.
To further validate their finding, the team obtained blood stem cell samples from 50 more AML patients and the same surface protein existed on the samples obtained.
Using advanced function analysis tools, the researchers found that the surface protein was pivotal in aiding the cancer to evade a person’s immune system so that the disease keeps growing without any interference from the immune system.
Using a custom antibody developed by the researchers, SLAMF6 was blocked from performing its evasive role and the immune system immediately started attacking the cancerous cells. Tests on the impact of blocking this surface protein were conducted in test tubes and on mice. Both cases showed immune system action against the cancer.
Carl Sanden, a corresponding author of this study, says blocking SLAMF6 was akin to switching the immune system back on. The surface protein acts like an off-switch for T cells in the immune system, and blocking those proteins is akin to flipping the switch back on.
The researchers say their finding could provide one possible explanation why immunotherapies have had limited success in treating patients with AML. They add that their finding marks a major step forward though more research needs to be undertaken before their approach can become available to patients diagnosed with this cancer type having limited treatment options.
The study team plans to further develop their antibody and conduct clinical trials aimed at moving their discovery towards regulatory approval for use in treating patients. Other scientists at companies like Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI) are also exploring the use of oncolytic viruses as another approach to supercharging the immune system against different cancers. A time may come when treatment teams have a wide range of cutting-edge personalized treatment options to administer to their patients.
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