Researchers at LUMC found that immune cells become more effective when their division is temporarily paused. CD8 T-cells, which attack diseased cells like cancer, don’t weaken during this pause. Instead, they prepare to fight cancer more effectively, offering new insights for combining cancer treatments.
Immune cells recharge.
Researchers used existing cancer drugs to temporarily stop CD8 T-cells from dividing and discovered the cells stayed active during this pause. They absorb more nutrients, store energy, and produce more IL-2, a substance crucial for immune cell survival. Lead researcher Professor Ramon Arens compares it to charging: “The cells recharge themselves, preparing for what comes next.”
When division resumes, these immune cells react faster and more powerfully than regular CD8 T-cells. They divide quicker, stay active longer, and better attack tumor cells. Unlike other immune cells, CD8 T-cells produce large amounts of IL-2 during the pause, using it not just as a stop but as preparation.
“CD8 T-cells use this pause to their advantage. They come back stronger and stay active longer,” explains Arens. Mouse studies showed slower tumor growth and improved responses to immunotherapy and cancer vaccines. Analysis of breast cancer biopsies from women also revealed more active CD8 T-cells after treatment, confirming the effect occurs in humans. The findings were published in Nature Immunology.
This discovery matters because many cancer treatments target cell division. There was concern this would harm the immune system, but the research shows well-timed pauses can strengthen immune cells and explains why some chemotherapies work well with immunotherapy.
More research is needed before patients receive new treatments, but existing therapies may be combined more effectively to help the immune system fight cancer. As Arens concludes: “Sometimes pausing isn’t a setback, but preparation to come back stronger, for people and their immune cells.”
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