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Unlocking the secrets of cancer stem cells: Immune checkpoint inhibitors face their formidable foes

Kevin Roarty1

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Cell Stem Cell
|June 2, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Immunotherapy can unexpectedly promote breast cancer stem cell traits and metastasis. Targeting BCAT1 may improve cancer treatment effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Stem Cell Research

Background:

  • Immunotherapy is a promising cancer treatment.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are linked to therapy resistance and metastasis.
  • Understanding immunotherapy's impact on CSCs is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how immunotherapy affects breast cancer stem cell properties.
  • To identify mechanisms by which immunotherapy might promote cancer progression.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized models of breast cancer.
  • Analyzed the effects of T-cell-derived interferon-gamma (IFNγ).
  • Investigated downstream targets of IFNγ signaling.

Main Results:

  • Immunotherapy was found to induce stem-like properties in breast cancer models.
  • T-cell-derived IFNγ was identified as a key driver of CSC phenotypes, therapy resistance, and metastasis.
  • BCAT1 was highlighted as a downstream mediator.

Conclusions:

  • Interferon-gamma plays a critical role in mediating immunotherapy-induced cancer stem cell phenotypes.
  • Targeting BCAT1 downstream presents a potential strategy to enhance immunotherapy efficacy and overcome resistance.

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