Metastatic cancer, where cancer spreads to different parts of the body, is the leading cause of cancer deaths.
While scientists know how cancer cells leave the original tumor and spread, it’s still unclear why some of these cells turn into new tumors—sometimes years later—while others don’t.
A new study from the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) has discovered a natural immune response in mice that stops these wandering cancer cells from forming new tumors.
This important finding was published in the journal Cell.
“Stopping metastasis is one of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment,” said Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, the study’s leader. “We believe our discovery could lead to new ways to prevent or treat cancer that spreads.”
The team found that certain immune cells called alveolar macrophages, found in the lungs, help keep cancer cells in a dormant, or inactive, state. The study focused on breast cancer cells that had spread to the lungs.
Cancer cells that leave the original tumor and spread to other organs are known as disseminated cancer cells (DCCs).
Some of these cells immediately start forming new tumors, while others remain dormant for many years without causing any harm.
Dr. Aguirre-Ghiso’s team discovered that alveolar macrophages in the lungs are responsible for keeping these cancer cells in a dormant state. These immune cells live in the lungs and protect the body from bacteria and harmful substances.
The study found that alveolar macrophages send signals to cancer cells, using a protein called TGF-β2, that prevent them from becoming active and forming new tumors.
Every organ has its own special type of immune cells like alveolar macrophages. The study suggests that these immune cells might be doing the same job in other organs—keeping cancer cells dormant and preventing metastasis.
In experiments with mice, the team found that removing alveolar macrophages caused more cancer cells to become active, leading to increased tumor growth. On the other hand, when macrophages were present, they helped stop the spread of cancer.
The researchers hope that by better understanding how these immune cells work, new treatments can be developed to prevent cancer cells from “waking up” and spreading. Strengthening the signals from these immune cells could keep cancer cells dormant and help stop metastasis altogether.
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Source: KSR.
