(MENAFN) Researchers at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital have identified a method to activate the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells that previously escaped detection, according to reports on Thursday.

Published in Nature Immunology, the study demonstrates that by triggering two crucial immune pathways, scientists were able to transform immune-resistant tumors into “immune-hot” ones, making them susceptible to attack by the body’s natural defense mechanisms, Science Daily reported.

The research, which focused on mouse models of breast, pancreatic, and muscle cancers, not only inhibited tumor growth but also created lasting immune memory, improving survival rates and reducing the chances of cancer recurrence.

"By building the right immune infrastructure inside tumors, we can potentiate the patient's own defenses, both T cell and B cell arms, against cancer growth, relapse, and metastasis," said Masanobu Komatsu, senior scientist and lead author of the study, as quoted by the outlet.

Tumors typically classified as "immune cold" lack the necessary immune cell activity to respond effectively to conventional treatments, such as immunotherapy.

To address this, the Johns Hopkins team sought to activate the tumor environment by introducing immune-activating molecules. Their focus was on strengthening tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), clusters of immune cells critical to orchestrating immune responses.

TLSs, which are commonly present in immune-hot tumors, are associated with better outcomes for patients. By using two immune-stimulating molecules, the team replicated conditions typically found in immune-active tumors. This approach triggered a significant increase in killer T cells targeting the cancer, promoted the formation of new blood vessels to allow immune cells to infiltrate, and initiated the production of antibodies against the tumor cells.

Additionally, B cells within the TLSs were activated to produce antibodies and develop memory cells, enabling the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer if it reappears. The treatment also enhanced the activity of helper T cells and memory T cells, boosting both humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Komatsu noted that these findings suggest the potential for combining immune-activating signals to improve the effectiveness of existing treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, across multiple cancer types.

The research was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NIH), the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Florida Department of Health.

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