New Solution for Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Based on Approach From Nearly a Century Ago Shrinks TumorsA novel combination resulted in tumor regression during preclinical lab testing by scientists at the nonprofit Wistar Institute in Philadelphia.
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer, with low survival rates because it is naturally resistant to chemotherapy, so its presence is difficult to combat anywhere in the body.
The cancer tends to metastasize through peritoneal fluid in the peritoneal cavity—around the stomach and intestines—which is naturally immunosuppressive, so limits the body’s response to any tumors.
To combat the challenging cancer, Nan Zhang, Ph.D. and his collaborators turned to a possible solution from nearly a century ago.
In the late 1800s & early 1900s, New York surgeon William B. Coley achieved a cure rate greater than 10% for some cancers by injecting patients with dead pathogens. Scientists later reasoned that this anti-cancer effect was the result of the immune system’s activation of myeloid cells—the plentiful cells in the peritoneal cavity—that when activated can mount a cancer-killing response.
Building on the concept, Zhang’s team designed an approach that specifically activates myeloid cells within the peritoneal cavity through combination treatment with beta-glucan, a pathogen-derived activator of myeloid cells, and interferon-gamma (IFNγ).
Preliminary reports suggest the approach can work to reverse the immunosuppression around tumors, leading to positive results.A novel combination resulted in tumor regression during preclinical lab testing by scientists at the nonprofit Wistar Institute in Philadelphia.
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer, with low survival rates because it is naturally resistant to chemotherapy, so its presence is difficult to combat anywhere in the body.
The cancer tends to metastasize through peritoneal fluid in the peritoneal cavity—around the stomach and intestines—which is naturally immunosuppressive, so limits the body’s response to any tumors.
To combat the challenging cancer, Nan Zhang, Ph.D. and his collaborators turned to a possible solution from nearly a century ago.
In the late 1800s & early 1900s, New York surgeon William B. Coley achieved a cure rate greater than 10% for some cancers by injecting patients with dead pathogens. Scientists later reasoned that this anti-cancer effect was the result of the immune system’s activation of myeloid cells—the plentiful cells in the peritoneal cavity—that when activated can mount a cancer-killing response.
Building on the concept, Zhang’s team designed an approach that specifically activates myeloid cells within the peritoneal cavity through combination treatment with beta-glucan, a pathogen-derived activator of myeloid cells, and interferon-gamma (IFNγ).
Preliminary reports suggest the approach can work to reverse the immunosuppression around tumors, leading to positive results...............
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/new-solution-for-metastatic-ovarian-cancer-based-on-approach-from-nearly-a-century-ago/
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