US Researchers Develop Targeted Immunotherapy Technique Using Cytokine Proteins to Fight Cancer

Researchers at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering have developed a new cancer immunotherapy technique that uses cytokine proteins to target and eliminate tumor cells without harming healthy cells. The approach involves activating the immune system and reprogramming immune cells to attack cancer cells, while localizing the potent cytokine proteins within the tumor environment to avoid systemic side effects.

Cytokines are small protein molecules released by the body's immune cells to combat cancer and enhance treatment effectiveness. The researchers designed specialized particles to deliver the cytokines and control their release, working with materials science experts to optimize the particle properties. "The new technique stimulates the immune cells to release cytokines, which prevent the tumor from spreading to other tissues or organs," explained the research team.

Current cancer treatments like chemotherapy cannot differentiate between healthy and cancer cells, resulting in side effects. "This approach preserves the structure and reactivity levels of the cytokines, avoiding the toxicity and side effects associated with current cancer treatments like chemotherapy, which cannot distinguish between healthy and cancer cells," the researchers stated.

Why this matters: This new localized cytokine therapy is being combined with FDA-approved checkpoint blockade antibodies to further activate the immune system against cancer cells. The researchers hope this approach can provide a safer and more effective alternative to current cancer treatments, potentially transforming cancer care and improving patient outcomes.

The collaboration between chemical engineering and materials science experts has been crucial in advancing this immunotherapy research. The team used specialized particles with specific sizes and surface properties to ensure the cytokines remain in the tumor for an extended period. This method is designed to work in conjunction with checkpoint blockade antibodies, which reactivate the tumor-suppressed immune cells, allowing the cytokine-stimulated immune cells to effectively fight the cancer.

Key Takeaways

• New cancer immunotherapy uses cytokines to target tumor cells without harming healthy cells.
• Cytokines stimulate immune cells to combat cancer and enhance treatment effectiveness.
• Specialized particles deliver cytokines and control their release, avoiding toxicity of chemotherapy.
• Localized cytokine therapy combined with checkpoint blockade antibodies to activate immune system.
• Collaboration between chemical engineering and materials science experts advances this immunotherapy research.