Cancer cells release antioxidants to prevent immune cells from destroying them
Scientists have discovered that cancer cells release an antioxidant protein called PRDX1 to neutralize reactive oxygen species that immune T cells need to function. By blocking this antioxidant, researchers hope to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.
Why it matters
This discovery identifies a specific mechanism tumors use to evade the immune system, offering a new target for cancer treatment development.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Molecules called reactive oxygen species, which include so-called "free radicals," have long been viewed as damaging byproducts of our body's metabolism—a reason antioxidant supplements have been considered a potential way to reduce cancer risk.
Now, scientists have discovered that certain immune cells depend on these molecules to activate and destroy cancer cells and that tumors exploit this dependency by releasing natural antioxidants to shut down the immune attack.
The findings, published today in Science , could help improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies.
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