Researchers have discovered a “kill switch” that can trigger the death of cancer cells, according to a study published in the journal Cell Death & Differentiation last month. Scientists at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento, California, have identified a protein on the CD95 receptor that can “program” cancer cells to self-destruct, similar to a “kill switch.” This particular receptor receives and transmits signals within a cell and is also referred to as Fas, gaining the nickname “death receptors.”
Jogender Tushir-Singh, an associate professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and senior author of the study, expressed hope that targeting this receptor could lead to new therapeutic approaches for cancer. The protein they identified could create a new path to target Fas in tumors, something previous efforts have been unsuccessful in doing. The hope is that future cancer drugs could enhance the activity of these CD95 receptors, potentially proving to be a valuable weapon against cancer tumors.
With current immune-based therapies showing limited effectiveness against many cancer types, this discovery offers a new potential for finding effective therapies for solid tumors. Tushir-Singh believes that their discovery could help improve the efficacy of immunotherapies and provide a comprehensive solution to transform the limited success of CAR-T therapies for solid tumors.
Though no CD95-boosting drugs have made it into clinical trials, Tushir-Singh is optimistic about future cancer treatments. He remains hopeful for the potential long-term efficacy of this new therapeutic approach and the impact it can have in fighting cancer. With ongoing research and medical advances, Tushir-Singh emphasizes that there is much to be positive about when it comes to cancer treatments.