Researchers have long sought new ways to treat cancer, especially in cases where traditional therapies fall short. An unexpected discovery during the COVID-19 pandemic may offer just that: a potential path to treating cancers that have resisted all other forms of treatment. In a study led by Ankit Bharat, MD, chief of thoracic surgery and director of the Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute, scientists have uncovered how the body’s immune response to COVID-19 could be repurposed to fight cancer.
Journal: Journal of Clinical Investigation, Published Date, DOI | Reading time: 5 minutes
COVID-19 and Cancer Regression
In the midst of the pandemic, scientists observed an intriguing phenomenon: some cancer patients experienced a regression in their tumors after contracting COVID-19. While initially puzzling, researchers now believe they have uncovered the mechanism behind this unexpected result. The key, they discovered, lies in a specific type of immune cell that is activated by the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The immune cells in question, dubbed “inducible nonclassical monocytes (I-NCMs),” have the ability to seek out and destroy cancer cells. “This discovery opens up a new avenue for cancer treatment,” said Dr. Bharat. “We found that the same cells activated by severe COVID-19 could be induced with a drug to fight cancer, and we specifically saw a response with melanoma, lung, breast, and colon cancer in the study.” These findings were made using both human tissues and animal models, marking a significant step in understanding how the immune system can be harnessed to fight cancer.
How It Works: I-NCMs Take the Lead
The process begins when the RNA from the SARS-CoV-2 virus triggers the immune system. This causes common monocytes, a type of white blood cell, to transform into I-NCMs. What makes these cells so unique is their ability to infiltrate tumors—a feat that most immune cells cannot perform.
“Typically, immune cells called non-classical monocytes patrol blood vessels, looking for threats. But they can’t enter the tumor site itself due to the lack of specific receptors,” explained Dr. Bharat, who is also a professor of surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “In contrast, the I-NCMs created during severe COVID-19 retain a unique receptor called CCR2, allowing them to travel beyond blood vessels and infiltrate the tumor environment.” Once they enter the tumor, the I-NCMs recruit other immune cells, including natural killer cells, to attack the cancer cells directly, helping to shrink the tumor.
This dual capability of I-NCMs—combining their ability to seek out tumors and their power to recruit other immune cells—could be the key to new treatments for cancers that are difficult to treat with existing therapies.
What’s Next for Cancer Treatment?
While this research offers hope, Dr. Bharat emphasized that the findings are still in the early stages. “We are in the early stages, but the potential to transform cancer treatment is there. Our next steps will involve clinical trials to see if we can safely and effectively use these findings to help cancer patients,” he said.
The team is hopeful that further research could lead to the development of therapies specifically targeting these I-NCMs, offering new treatment options for patients whose cancers have not responded to other therapies. This could be especially beneficial for patients with aggressive forms of cancer, such as those involved in Northwestern’s Double Lung Replacement and Multidisciplinary Care (DREAM) Program, which treats patients with advanced lung cancers.
“While the program has been highly successful, we do anticipate that some patients might have recurrence. Since we’re using monocytes with our research, we could potentially treat DREAM patients without risking rejection of their new lungs,” Dr. Bharat added.
The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), could pave the way for novel treatments for those suffering from cancers that currently have few options. If successful, it may represent a groundbreaking step forward in cancer care.
Glossary
- Monocytes: A type of white blood cell that plays a key role in immune defense.
- I-NCMs (Inducible Nonclassical Monocytes): A unique subset of monocytes that can infiltrate tumors and activate other immune cells to fight cancer.
- CCR2: A receptor on immune cells that enables them to travel from blood vessels to tissue, such as tumors.
- Natural Killer Cells: Immune cells that play a critical role in recognizing and killing tumor cells.
- Immunotherapy: A cancer treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
1. What is the main discovery of this study?
The discovery is that COVID-19 infection activates a specific immune cell, I-NCMs, which can attack and shrink cancer cells.
2. Which cancers were specifically studied in this research?
The study focused on melanoma, lung, breast, and colon cancers.
3. What makes I-NCMs unique compared to other immune cells?
I-NCMs can infiltrate tumors, a capability most immune cells lack, due to the presence of the CCR2 receptor.
4. What is the next step for this research?
The next step involves clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of this approach in cancer patients.
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