So far in 2022, there have been reportedly 1.9 million new cases of cancer diagnoses in the United States. Also, approximately 609,000 cancer-related deaths were documented solely this year. With cancer still being a predominant cause of death, researchers have a great deal of learning left in order to find the root contributors to this disease.
The initial stages of cancer begin when a normal cell turns into a tumor cell, thus dividing rapidly and causing the body to veer away from its stable equilibrium. But, how tumor cells grow without any interference from the body’s immune system was a question scientists could not answer until now. In a recent study, researchers found that tumors can deactivate the immune system, allowing them to multiply without being detected and destroyed. Additionally, they observed that certain tumor cells with a mutation in the IDH gene secrete a metabolite called D-2HG. This substance interacts with nearby CD8+ T cells and causes the cancer-killing cells of the immune system to essentially lie dormant.
Tumor Cells Proliferating
Image Source: kojo_feta
In a separate experiment, researchers found that in tumors with IDH mutations — when the environment surrounding the tumor had high levels of T cells — there were low levels of D-2HG. On the other hand, when high levels of D-2HG were present, the T cells were not as toxic to the tumor. So, because mutated tumor cells secrete D-2HG, the body is not able to defend itself and the once highly efficient immune system falls apart.
These findings seem promising in the battle against cancer. Though this study shows one case of possibly hundreds of different types of mutations a tumor may have, it still sheds light on the mechanisms of tumor cells. This research could lead to more targeted cancer therapies and possibly personal therapies tailored to each patient’s situation. Although more in-depth research is needed, the study has laid the groundwork for future scientists to work on.
Featured Image Source: dani3315
