Led by Prof. Ruth Scherz-Shouval, researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science found that fibroblasts, connective tissue cells in breast tumors, can mimic cancer cells. These fibroblasts attract the immune system's killer cells (NK cells) to them, causing the immune cells to attack the fibroblasts instead of the cancer cells. This deception helps the tumor evade the immune system.
Normally, the immune system and other body cells work together to control cell growth and eliminate cancer cells. However, cancer cells can send signals to normal cells, like fibroblasts, to help them grow and avoid immune attacks. NK cells are supposed to identify and kill abnormal cells quickly, but fibroblasts trick them into attacking the wrong targets.
While the study, published in Cancer Discovery, was performed using mice, tests on breast cancer patients confirmed that fibroblasts in tumors express specific proteins that attract NK cells. Patients with higher levels of these proteins had worse outcomes, indicating more aggressive cancer.
The research suggests that targeting fibroblasts could improve cancer treatments. Combining therapies that neutralize fibroblasts' pro-cancer activity with those that stimulate the immune system might be more effective. The goal is to make fibroblasts function normally, preventing them from aiding tumor growth and enhancing existing treatments.
A version of this article was first published in ynetnews.
