Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have uncovered a strong connection between the immune system and cuproptosis, a newly discovered type of cell death caused by excess copper inside cells. The study found that immune cells called CD8-positive T cells help trigger cuproptosis in cancer cells. In turn, dying cancer cells release signals that attract and activate even more immune cells, creating a cycle that strengthens the body’s anti-cancer response.
In preclinical studies, combining a drug that induces cuproptosis with anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy significantly slowed tumor growth, even in cancers that had become resistant to immunotherapy.
The researchers also identified the gene FDX1 as a potential biomarker. Tumors with higher FDX1 levels were more sensitive to cuproptosis, suggesting the gene could help identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment. Because the copper-inducing drugs used in the study already have established safety records, the combination therapy could move into clinical trials relatively quickly.
Read more updates at www.onconov.com