Breast cancer cells can resist the immune system

The findings of Australian scientists published on July 23 in the journal Nature show that breast cancer cells can neutralize the body's immune responses and allow the virus to spread to bone area of ​​the patient.

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Thereby, scientists have also tested two ways to restore the immune response, helping patients fight cancer.

Belinda Parker of Peter MacCallum Cancer Center in Melbourne (Australia) and colleagues analyzed tumor tumor specimens of metastatic breast cancer patients combining tests in mice.

They discovered a gene called IRF7 in cancer cells that controls the production of the protein "interferon" - an important immune vitamin that helps fight viruses and bacteria from tumor cells.

When cancer cells leave the breast area and move along the bloodstream to enter the spinal cord, interferons produced by IRF7 protein help the immune system recognize cancer cells and eliminate them.

But if IRF7 does not produce interferons, the function of the immune system will be weak and allow pathogenic cells to avoid detection, and metastasize to the bone.

Parker and his team tried to offer two therapies to restore the immune response with mouse tests. First, they put the IRF7 gene back into the cancer cells so that the cells could not destroy the IRF7 gene, while stimulating the immune system pathway to prevent cancer cells from spreading.

The second way is to treat the available "interferon" vitamin, which is still used to treat hepatitis. This vitamin has antiviral function to prevent the risk of metastasis on bone.

"When we understand how breast cancer cells work, we hope to restore immune functions and prevent the spread of cancer," said Parker.

In 2010, up to 1.5 million people were diagnosed with breast cancer, the most common cancer in women worldwide, of which 89% of women with breast cancer in Western countries. still survived 5 years after detection of the disease thanks to tests and treatment.