Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have uncovered a sneaky mechanism used by triple-negative breast cancer to thrive: it turns the body’s own immune system against itself to grow a supportive nerve network.
Key Discoveries & Findings
- Immune System Exploitation: The tumor recruits macrophages—immune cells typically responsible for fighting infections and healing tissue—and tricks them into supporting cancer growth.
- Nerve-Attracting Protein: Once inside the tumor, these hijacked macrophages release brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a growth protein that prompts nearby nerves to extend directly into the cancer.
- Fueling Disease: The newly formed nerve network appears to aid tumor growth, shield the cancer from treatments, and potentially help it spread throughout the body.
- Human Relevancy: Data from human patients showed that higher levels of macrophages and BDNF in tumors correlated with lower survival rates, matching observations in mouse models.
A Promising New Treatment Strategy
Rather than solely targeting the cancer cells themselves, researchers tested an existing market drug in mice to block BDNF signaling.
- Halt Nerve Growth: Blocking the protein signal completely prevented nerves from invading the tumor.
- Shrink Tumors: Inhibiting BDNF significantly slowed overall tumor growth.
- Restore Immunity: Disrupted nerve growth may prevent the tumor from suppressing the patient's immune system, allowing natural defenses to fight back.
Moving forward, the research team plans to explore whether nerves help cancer cells metastasize or supply tumors with nutrients via blood vessel growth, while also testing similar treatments on aggressive ovarian cancer.
Source: Science Daily
