Asthma Drug Shows New Promise in Cancer Treatment

How Tumors Hijack the Immune System

According to НВ — Техно: May 24, 11:00 PM

A study published in Nature Cancer has revealed that tumors exploit a protein called CysLTR1 to manipulate the immune system. Researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine discovered that cancerous growths can turn neutrophils into dormant agents, which in turn promotes metastasis and blocks the activity of immune cells.

Montelukast's Impact on Tumors

Montelukast, a drug originally approved for asthma in 1998, can block the CysLTR1 protein. In experiments on mice, either by disabling the CysLTR1 gene or administering montelukast, researchers observed slower growth of colorectal tumors, melanoma, and breast cancer. Additionally, using montelukast increased the survival rate of the test mice.

• The strongest effect was seen when combining montelukast with immunotherapy, particularly checkpoint blockade.
• Experiments with human blood confirmed a similar mechanism, opening up new possibilities for cancer treatment.
• The study authors plan to launch clinical trials in humans.

It is worth noting, however, that montelukast has known neuropsychiatric side effects. For this reason, researchers are also exploring the possibility of creating specialized antibodies to directly target the CysLTR1 receptor. This could be a crucial step in overcoming tumor resistance to modern immunotherapy.

This research underscores the importance of understanding how cancer cells interact with the immune system, which could lead to novel treatment strategies.

Combining conventional therapies with new approaches like blocking CysLTR1 could significantly improve outcomes for patients with various types of cancer. Continued research in this area opens the door to developing more effective treatment strategies that can reduce the risk of recurrence and enhance patients' quality of life.