Breakthrough study explains how the immune system puts cancer cells to sleep

Scientists have long understood that, in some instances, malignant cancer cells can sit in stasis for prolonged periods of time without spreading or causing disease-related symptoms. This process is called the cancer-immune equilibrium, and while it is known to be mediated by the body's immune system, we do not know exactly how it works.

The new research homed in on a type of immune cell called a tissue-resident memory (TRM) T cell. TRM cells were only identified around 20 years ago, and they presented as functionally different from other types of immune cells. In order to study the effect of TRM cells on cancer-immune equilibrium, a mouse melanoma model was developed alongside a new imaging technique allowing scientists to observe the movement of these immune cells in real-time. "Using a special microscope, we could see individual melanoma cells sitting in the skin of the mouse, and could watch the T cells move through the skin, find the melanoma cells and control the growth of those cells," explains Simone Park, one of the researchers who developed the novel imaging technique for the study.

The next step was to observe what happens to the melanoma cells when the TRM cells were depleted. The results were notable, with tumor outgrowth triggered after the TRM cells were removed.
Further work is necessary to better understand exactly how these TRM cells are keeping cancer cells dormant, but the researchers are confident these results are transferable to humans.

More at https://newatlas.com/cancer-kept-dormant-immune-trm-cells/57837/

Method converting cancer cells into fat cells could block metastatic spread

A fascinating study from researchers at the University of Basel has revealed a method that forces malignant breast cancer cells to turn into fat cells. The research, currently only demonstrated in mice, suggests the process could stop tumors from metastasizing and potentially make the cancer more susceptible to conventional chemotherapy.

More details at:

https://newatlas.com/turning-cancer-into-fat-blocking-metastasis/58036/

White blood cells related to allergies may also be harnessed to destroy cancer cells
Eosinophil immune cells are capable of killing colon cancer cells, researchers say
Date:
January 22, 2019
Source:
American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Summary:
A new study finds that white blood cells which are responsible for chronic asthma and modern allergies may be used to eliminate malignant colon cancer cells.
Read more here. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190122125521.htm

Study may explain why once-promising cancer drugs failed
Cells use 'battering ram' to get around cancer drug
Date:
January 24, 2019
Source:
Duke University
Summary:
Nearly two decades ago, a class of once-promising cancer drugs called MMP inhibitors mysteriously failed in clinical trials. Now scientists think they may have an explanation. A new study shows that when MMP enzymes are disabled, invasive cells can change their tactics. The findings in C. elegans worms could lead to better ways to prevent metastasis, the spread of the disease responsible for 90 percent of cancer deaths.
Read more here. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190124141549.htm

A small team of Israeli scientists think they might have found the first complete cure for cancer.

“We believe we will offer in a year’s time a complete cure for cancer,” said Dan Aridor, of a new treatment being developed by his company, Accelerated Evolution Biotechnologies Ltd. (AEBi), which was founded in 2000 in the ITEK incubator in the Weizmann Science Park. AEBi developed the SoAP platform, which provides functional leads to very difficult targets.
“Our cancer cure will be effective from day one, will last a duration of a few weeks and will have no or minimal side-effects at a much lower cost than most other treatments on the market,” Aridor said. “Our solution will be both generic and personal.”
https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/A-cure-f...ink-they-found-one-578939