Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally.
A groundbreaking study led by the Centenary Institute brings new hope by unveiling a promising treatment strategy for this lethal cancer.
The research suggests that the use of a novel drug combination can effectively shrink liver tumors in mice, potentially opening a new chapter in the fight against liver cancer.
A Promising Dual-Drug Approach
Dr. Ken Liu, the lead author of the study and a researcher at the Centenary Institute’s Center for Cancer Innovations, shared exciting findings on a new approach to treat advanced liver cancer.
The treatment involves the combination of a new drug, Blockmir CD5-2, and another called anti-PD1 antibody. This dual-drug strategy demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing the size of liver tumors in mice models.
The team believes that the synergy of these drugs could be a leap forward in enhancing the immune system’s capability to combat cancer cells and shrink tumors.
How Does It Work?
Liver tumors usually create challenging environments, characterized by abnormal blood vessels and inadequate oxygen levels, which hinder the immune system’s ability to fight the cancer.
The drug Blockmir CD5-2 addresses this problem by promoting healthier blood vessels in the tumor, activating a protein known as VE-Cadherin.
This activation improves the blood and oxygen supply to the tumors, allowing more cancer-fighting immune cells, specifically cytotoxic T cells, to penetrate the tumor and fight the disease effectively.
Additionally, the inclusion of the anti-PD1 antibody in the treatment is pivotal.
This antibody enhances the immune system’s cancer-fighting ability by blocking a protein that usually suppresses the immune response, allowing the body to better combat the cancer cells.
The Significance of the Discovery
This breakthrough is particularly vital, given the limited effective treatment options currently available for liver cancer.
The study’s senior authors, Professor Jennifer Gamble and Professor Geoff McCaughan, emphasized the tremendous potential this new therapeutic strategy holds in treating such a formidable disease, offering a beacon of hope for advancements in liver cancer treatment.
Dr. Liu expressed optimism about the potential of this combination as a viable treatment for advanced liver cancer, stating, “We believe that this dual-drug approach enhances the immune system, rendering it more efficient in combating cancer cells and reducing tumors.”
Conclusion
The pioneering study by the Centenary Institute presents a potentially transformative approach to treating hepatocellular carcinoma, a prevalent and deadly form of liver cancer.
The combination of Blockmir CD5-2 and anti-PD1 antibody has proven effective in reducing tumor size in mice by improving the tumor environment and enhancing the immune system’s response against cancer cells.
While further research is crucial, this promising treatment strategy may well be a substantial stride toward conquering one of the most challenging forms of cancer.
If you care about cancer risk, please read studies that exercise may stop cancer in its tracks, and vitamin D can cut cancer death risk.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies that yogurt and high-fiber diet may cut lung cancer risk, and results showing that new cancer treatment may reawaken the immune system.
The research findings can be found in Frontiers in Immunology.
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