Scientists have purportedly discovered a ‘kill switch’ that causes cancer cells to die in a huge advance. California researchers from the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento announced the discovery of a protein on a receptor that may be programmed to destroy cancer cells. Death receptors are CD95 receptors, commonly known as Fas. Protein receptors are found on cell membranes. When activated, they produce a signal that induces the cells to self-destruct,” according to a statement from the cancer center.
As of now, the therapy appears to be effective against liquid carcinoma, leukemia, and other blood cancer
CAR T-cell therapy is the name given by researchers to the process of collecting T cells from a patient’s blood and genetically altering them in a lab to produce receptors known as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). After being modified, these cells are put back into the patient’s bloodstream. “We discovered the most critical epitope for cytotoxic Fas signaling as well as CAR T-cell bystander anti-tumor function,” said senior author Jogender Tushir-Singh, an associate professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.
As of now, the therapy appears to be effective against liquid carcinoma, leukemia, and other blood cancers. According to researchers, it has shown “meager success” against solid tumors such as breast, lung, and bowel cancer. According to Tushir-Singh, it is still the most difficult challenge. However, the team is optimistic that the therapy will soon be able to target solid cancer as well. “Modulating Fas may also extend the benefits of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to solid tumors like ovarian cancer,” according to a statement released by the research group. “Previous attempts to target this receptor were unsuccessful.” But now that we’ve found this epitope, there might be a way to target Fas in cancer,” Tushir-Singh remarked.
