The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers have discovered promising insights into the realm of cancer immunotherapy, aiming to sustain its effectiveness. The study was published in Frontiers in Immunology; focus on how various cancer cells respond to the activation of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).
Avik Chattopadhyay, a researcher and PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry at IISc, elucidated, “IFN-γ, emanating from immune cells such as T cells or natural killer cells, binds to tumors, instigating apoptosis [cell death]. Reports underscore that diminished amounts or malfunctions in IFN-γ signaling impede tumor responses to immunotherapy.”
The research revealed a dichotomy in the response of cancer cells to IFN-γ activation. Cells from the liver and kidney demonstrated heightened production of nitric oxide (NO) and lactic acid, inducing oxidative damage and eventual cell demise. Conversely, cell lines from the colon and skin exhibited a lackluster response, failing to produce NO and lactic acid even post IFN-γ treatment.
The study took an unexpected turn when researchers observed a shift in the color
of the cell growth medium to yellow following IFN-γ treatment. Subsequent investigation linked this color alteration to the release of acidic byproducts, including lactic acid, hinting at a potential role in the response of cancer cells.
Dipankar Nandi, a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at IISc and the corresponding author of the study, emphasized the preliminary nature of these findings. He underscored the imperative need for further experiments using animal models to explore whether compounds targeting metabolism could augment anti-tumor responses, particularly in challenging cancers, when coupled with IFN-γ activation during immunotherapy.
This research not only expands our understanding of cancer immunotherapy but also opens up avenues for its improvement, offering optimism for more effective treatments on the horizon.
