Ep. 93: “Cancer Immune Regulation” Featuring Dr. Rahul Roychoudhuri
Nov 19, 2024
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Dr. Rahul Roychoudhuri, a Professor of Cancer Immunology at the University of Cambridge, shares insights on groundbreaking research in cancer treatment. He discusses enhancing cancer cell targeting through innovative cell therapies and the role of immunomodulators like aspirin in preventing metastasis. The conversation also delves into the complexities of immune regulation in cardiac health and how recent discoveries in synthetic immunology could transform patient outcomes. This blend of cutting-edge research and practical applications makes for an intriguing listen!
Understanding immune tolerance in the central nervous system reveals unique immunopeptidomic characteristics that could offer new therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases.
Recent advancements in cancer immunotherapy focus on enhancing treatment for cold tumors and developing preventive therapies to address metastasis effectively.
Deep dives
Exploring Immune Privilege in the Central Nervous System
Research on immune tolerance within the central nervous system (CNS) sheds light on how immune responses differ in this region compared to the rest of the body. Analysis revealed that certain peptides from myelin basic protein are selectively presented in the CNS, suggesting a unique immunopeptidome for the brain. Mice immunized with these peptides did not show the typical neuroinflammatory response, indicating a protective, tolerogenic effect. Furthermore, specific suppressive T cells were identified that could inhibit inflammatory responses, presenting potential therapeutic avenues for autoimmune conditions affecting the CNS.
The Role of Sleep Post-Myocardial Infarction
Following a myocardial infarction, increased sleep has been found to be crucial for cardiac recovery and reducing inflammation. Researchers traced the pathway through which the brain's TNF signaling induces sleep, leading to decreased adrenergic receptor activation on heart immune cells, resulting in reduced inflammation and improved healing. In studies conducted on mice, disruption of this sleep induction led to increased cardiac damage, emphasizing the importance of sleep in healing processes post-heart attack. Human data corroborated these findings, showing better cardiac outcomes for patients with high sleep quality after heart attacks.
Circadian Rhythms Influence Lipid Metabolism
The production of IL-17 by gamma-delta T cells in adipose tissue exhibits a rhythmic pattern aligned with the body's circadian clock, revealing the connection between immune activity and lipid metabolism. During periods of wakefulness, IL-17 production increases, facilitating lipogenesis, while levels drop during sleep, favoring lipolysis. Knockout studies demonstrated that the presence of these immune cells is essential for proper fat metabolism, highlighting the role of immune function in regulating adipose tissue dynamics. Understanding how this rhythmic control influences obesity and metabolic disorders could offer new therapeutic targets for adipose-related diseases.
Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy
Advancements in cancer immunotherapy have shifted focus towards enhancing efficacy for patients with cold tumors that possess low neoantigen density, as traditional checkpoint blockade therapies have plateaued. The research aims to develop synthetic biology approaches, such as neoantigen vaccination and novel immune cell modifications, to stimulate immune responses in these challenging cancer types. Additionally, efforts are directed at preventing metastasis by targeting early-stage tumors with preventive therapies. The exploration of therapeutic agents like aspirin shows potential for reducing metastasis rates, emphasizing the need for integrating preventative strategies into cancer care.
Dr. Rahul Roychoudhuri is a Professor of Cancer Immunology at the University of Cambridge (Department of Pathology) and Director (Non-Clinical) of the CRUK Cambridge Centre Training Programme. His lab studies immunoregulatory mechanisms in inflammation and cancer. He talks about enhancing cell therapy with new payloads and targeting cancer cells during metastasis.
is happening May 3-7 in Honolulu, Hawaii!
