Rahul Roychoudhuri, a Professor of Cancer Immunology at the University of Cambridge, dives deep into the fascinating interplay between the immune system and cancer. They discuss how cancer cells evolve to evade immune detection and the surprising role of low-dose aspirin in potentially preventing cancer metastasis. The conversation highlights the implications of inflammation on tumor growth and the prospects of new therapies enhancing immune responses. Aspirin's effects on T cells and its relationship with cancer treatment could reshape future cancer therapies.
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Cancer Immunosurveillance
Cancers arise frequently, but the immune system usually eliminates them before they become noticeable.
This constant surveillance and elimination process creates a selection pressure, favoring cancer cells that can evade immune detection.
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Cancer Immunosurveillance Hypothesis
The cancer immunosurveillance hypothesis posits that the immune system plays a key role in detecting and eliminating early-stage cancer cells.
Evidence from mouse models supports this hypothesis, showing that cancers that develop in immune-competent hosts are different from those in immune-deficient hosts.
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Immune System's Selective Pressure
Cancers that grow in immune-deficient environments become highly vulnerable when exposed to a functioning immune system.
This suggests that the immune system exerts continuous selective pressure on developing cancers.
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Short Summary: The science of cancer and immunity with Dr. Roychoudhuri, blending cutting-edge research with everyday implications like aspirin’s role in fighting tumor metastasis.
About the guest: Rahul Roychoudhuri, PhD is a Professor of Cancer Immunology at the University of Cambridge. His research bridges basic science and clinical applications, focusing on immune responses to cancer development and spread.
Note: Podcast episodes are fully available to paid subscribers on the M&M Substack and everyone on YouTube. Partial versions are available elsewhere. Full transcript and other information on Substack.
Episode Summary: The immune system’s role in detecting and fighting cancer, particularly how cancer cells evade immunity through selection pressures and microenvironment manipulation. They explore cancer initiation via mutations and inflammation, metastasis mechanics, and a surprising link between low-dose aspirin and reduced cancer spread, spotlighting new research on T cells and thromboxane. The discussion ties in dietary fats, aspirin’s anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting effects, and the potential for new therapies to prevent metastasis.
Key Takeaways:
The immune system constantly surveils and eliminates early cancer cells, but surviving cancers evolve to dodge detection.
Inflammation can both spark cancer growth and be exploited by tumors to suppress helpful immune responses.
Cancer metastasis, responsible for ~90% of cancer deaths, involves cells breaking off, traveling, and adapting to new sites.
New research shows aspirin may curb metastasis by lowering thromboxane, a lipid-derived blood clotting factor.
Human data hints aspirin reduces metastasis risk in cancers like breast and colorectal, but trials are ongoing.
Daily low-dose aspirin (75-100 mg) is used for heart health, yet its cancer benefits need more study. 600 mg per day has been observed to reduce metastasis rates in colon cancer patients, but chronic use of that dose carries some risk (ulcers, bleeding).
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