UCI molecular biologists a new way to fight against skin cancer -
Using immunotherapy new and innovative approaches to silence "do not eat me" signaling proteins recognized by specialized cells of the immune system, University of California, Irvine molecular biologists and their colleagues have identified an effective way to fight against metastatic melanoma.
Directed by D. Alexander Boiko, UCI molecular biology assistant professor and Biochemistry at the Ayala school bioscience and Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, the researchers found that blocking protein cell surface CD47 (known as a signal "do not eat me") on melanoma cells, increased the degree to which these cells were phagocytosed or "consumed" by macrophages. the team also discovered that blocking CD47 in combination with targeting a second cell surface protein, CD271, previously shown to be expressed on melanoma cell initiation, resulted in a virtually complete inhibition in metastases from human melanoma tumors in mice grafted the complete study appears Aug. 9 in cell reports (Link to study..: http://www.
The CD47 cell surface protein has been found to be overexpressed in metastatic melanomas, which allows them to avoid being eliminated by the immune system of the body. CD271, on the other hand, has been shown by Boiko previously to mark a population of cells in melanoma responsible for the initiation of the tumor and the metastatic spread this aggressive cancer. for the current study, Boiko and his team surmised that metastatic melanomas relied on the overexpression of both protein to fool the immune system and spread to other parts of the body.
to test this hypothesis, Boiko and his colleagues used specific blocking antibodies directed against CD47 (to activate macrophage phagocytosis) and CD271 (to selectively target population of more aggressive melanoma cells.) When mice bearing human metastatic melanoma were treated with this antibody regimen, researchers discovered that the simultaneous application of antibodies against CD47 and CD271 yielded the almost complete elimination of all metastases of experimental mouse organs. The group Boiko has further found that this treatment effect was mediated by a profound alteration of the microenvironment surrounding the tumor, causing immune cells to fight against cancer more effectively.
"Further research is needed to determine the anti-metastatic properties complete the double CD47 / CD271 antibody therapy and safety of its application in human patients," said Boiko. "However, the combination of this therapy with other new treatments that modulate the immune system represents a new approach that can offer increased benefits against metastatic melanoma. These are very exciting times for the field of cancer immunotherapy and we aim to add an important element to this type of treatment, which will hopefully result in a more effective outcome for patients. "
Directed by D. Alexander Boiko, UCI molecular biology assistant professor and Biochemistry at the Ayala school bioscience and Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Center, the researchers found that blocking protein cell surface CD47 (known as a signal "do not eat me") on melanoma cells, increased the degree to which these cells were phagocytosed or "consumed" by macrophages. the team also discovered that blocking CD47 in combination with targeting a second cell surface protein, CD271, previously shown to be expressed on melanoma cell initiation, resulted in a virtually complete inhibition in metastases from human melanoma tumors in mice grafted the complete study appears Aug. 9 in cell reports (Link to study..: http://www.
The CD47 cell surface protein has been found to be overexpressed in metastatic melanomas, which allows them to avoid being eliminated by the immune system of the body. CD271, on the other hand, has been shown by Boiko previously to mark a population of cells in melanoma responsible for the initiation of the tumor and the metastatic spread this aggressive cancer. for the current study, Boiko and his team surmised that metastatic melanomas relied on the overexpression of both protein to fool the immune system and spread to other parts of the body.
to test this hypothesis, Boiko and his colleagues used specific blocking antibodies directed against CD47 (to activate macrophage phagocytosis) and CD271 (to selectively target population of more aggressive melanoma cells.) When mice bearing human metastatic melanoma were treated with this antibody regimen, researchers discovered that the simultaneous application of antibodies against CD47 and CD271 yielded the almost complete elimination of all metastases of experimental mouse organs. The group Boiko has further found that this treatment effect was mediated by a profound alteration of the microenvironment surrounding the tumor, causing immune cells to fight against cancer more effectively.
"Further research is needed to determine the anti-metastatic properties complete the double CD47 / CD271 antibody therapy and safety of its application in human patients," said Boiko. "However, the combination of this therapy with other new treatments that modulate the immune system represents a new approach that can offer increased benefits against metastatic melanoma. These are very exciting times for the field of cancer immunotherapy and we aim to add an important element to this type of treatment, which will hopefully result in a more effective outcome for patients. "
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