experimental immunotherapeutic strategy may open the way to new treatments against the lymphoma -
Lymphoma is a cancer that affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells. The disease comes from a lymphoid organ (lymph nodes, spleen or bone marrow) before spreading through the blood to infiltrate not only other lymphoid organs but other tissues. Each year, nearly 2,000 people in Switzerland are diagnosed with lymphoma, a disease that can be very aggressive, resistant to standard treatments with chemotherapeutic drugs. Today, researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Switerland, give new hope to patients. Their innovative approach is to use an antibody capable of neutralizing a specific protein to block the migration of lymphoma cells, thereby preventing the disease from developing. This still experimental immunotherapeutic strategy paves the way for new treatments against lymphoma. The results can be read in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology.
Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells, are essential components of the immune system. But, like any other cell, they are not immune to carcinogenic mutations that can cause uncontrolled proliferation. They can then move freely in the bloodstream and spread to the lymphatic system, causing a tumor called lymphoma.
Lymphoma cells become really dangerous when they leave the blood vessels and multiply in the lymph system. "Since they can not survive in the bloodstream for a long time, these malignant cells are forced to find a more accommodating environment - such as the lymphatic system - where they can proliferate. We decided to focus on this Achilles heel containing the blood so as to avoid any harm resulting "says Thomas Matthes, a professor at University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. HUG, who oversaw the study in conjunction with Beat Imhof, professor at University of Geneva, Faculty of medicine.
means for preventing the movement of malignant cells
the inner lining of blood vessels is formed by a layer of endothelial cells that act as a barrier that prevents blood cells leave the circulation . However, certain lymphocytes, mutated to become cancerous, are equipped with a specific surface marker, the protein JAM-C, also present on the surface of endothelial cells. As a pass, his presence on the surface of lymphoma cells facilitates their migration through the vessel walls between adjacent endothelial cells. To block the effect of this protein, scientists have delved into the immune system to develop antibodies targeting JAM-C. Named "H225" this molecule designed to bind only to JAM-C. What was the effect on lymphoma cells? By masking JAM-C, H225 was able to prevent cells from migrating from the blood vessels.
An antibody two facets
The H225 antibody itself was very effective, reducing transit of cancer cells in the lymphatic organs, more than 50%. "It is not its only effect, adds Thomas Matthes, cell proliferation H225 also significantly limited, even when the tumor cells were already installed in the lymphatic system. In our mice, we observed almost complete disappearance of tumor cells already present in organs. "
This finding is in line with recent advances in cancer immunotherapy, a field that focuses on the treatment design based on the human immune system. With their specific interest for the marker JAM-C, Geneva team laid the foundation of a new therapeutic strategy against lymphoma. Researchers are now focusing their current efforts on the search for an effective treatment that could, in the near future, be offered to patients.
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