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Breakthrough in Lung Cancer Treatment Uncovered at Mount Sinai: Unexpected Role of Allergy Medication
Researchers at Mount Sinai have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the treatment of lung cancer by identifying an allergy-related pathway that enhances the body’s ability to fight tumors. This breakthrough involves combining immunotherapy with the use of an allergy medication called dupilumab, resulting in a significant reduction in tumor size during clinical trials. This innovative approach offers a new perspective on improving cancer treatment.
A study conducted at Mount Sinai has revealed that inhibiting an allergy pathway can significantly boost the body’s immune response against lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This immune-enhancing effect was observed when dupilumab, an antibody that blocks the Interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptor and is commonly used to treat allergies and asthma, was administered alongside immunotherapy.
The research, detailed in the December 6th issue of Nature, demonstrates a promising development in the field of immunotherapy, which has transformed the treatment landscape for NSCLC. While immunotherapy, specifically checkpoint blockade, has shown remarkable potential, it currently only benefits around a third of patients, and the effects are often temporary.
Senior study author Miriam Merad, MD, PhD, who serves as the Director of the Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute and Chair of the Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, emphasized the need to identify molecular immune programs that can enhance the immune response to checkpoint blockade. Their program, TARGET, focuses on using single-cell technology and artificial intelligence to achieve this goal.
The researchers discovered that immune cells within lung cancers exhibited characteristics associated with a ‘type 2’ immune response, commonly found in allergic conditions such as eczema and asthma. This insight led them to explore the repurposing of an allergy medication to improve tumor response to checkpoint blockade.
Remarkably, the IL-4 blockade achieved enhanced responses to checkpoint blockade in both mouse models and six lung cancer patients with treatment-resistant disease. In one case, a patient with growing lung cancer, despite prior checkpoint blockade treatment, experienced nearly complete cancer regression after just three doses of the allergy medication. This positive outcome has been sustained for over 17 months.
While the initial results are promising, the researchers emphasize the importance of conducting larger clinical trials to validate the drug’s efficacy in treating NSCLC. Additionally, they are expanding their clinical trials to include more lung cancer patients and exploring the effects of dupilumab in early-stage lung cancer. The researchers are also on the lookout for biomarkers that can predict which cancer patients will benefit from dupilumab treatment.
The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) has provided support for this research, highlighting its commitment to funding cutting-edge research and innovation in cancer treatment. CEO and Director of Scientific Affairs at CRI, Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, PhD, expressed their enthusiasm for the potential of this discovery to enhance checkpoint blockade responses and transform lives.
Reference: “An IL-4 signalling axis in bone marrow drives pro-tumorigenic myelopoiesis” by Nelson M. LaMarche, Samarth Hegde, Matthew D. Park, Barbara B. Maier, Leanna Troncoso, Jessica Le Berichel, Pauline Hamon, Meriem Belabed, Raphaël Mattiuz, Clotilde Hennequin, Theodore Chin, Amanda M. Reid, Iván Reyes-Torres, Erika Nemeth, Ruiyuan Zhang, Oakley C. Olson, Deborah B. Doroshow, Nicholas C. Rohs, Jorge E. Gomez, Rajwanth Veluswamy, Nicole Hall, Nicholas Venturini, Florent Ginhoux, Zhaoyuan Liu, Mark Buckup, Igor Figueiredo, Vladimir Roudko, Kensuke Miyake, Hajime Karasuyama, Edgar Gonzalez-Kozlova, Sacha Gnjatic, Emmanuelle Passegué, Seunghee Kim-Schulze, Brian D. Brown, Fred R. Hirsch, Brian S. Kim, Thomas U. Marron and Miriam Merad, 6 December 2023, Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06797-9.
The study received funding from various sources, including National Institutes of Health grants and grants from the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), among others.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lung Cancer Immunotherapy
What is the key discovery made by Mount Sinai researchers in this study?
Mount Sinai researchers have identified an allergy pathway that, when blocked, enhances the body’s ability to fight lung cancer. They found that combining immunotherapy with the allergy drug dupilumab resulted in significant tumor reduction, offering a new approach to cancer treatment.
What is the significance of this discovery for lung cancer patients?
This discovery holds great significance for lung cancer patients, particularly those with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). By using an allergy medication alongside immunotherapy, it offers a potential way to improve the effectiveness of treatment, even for patients with treatment-resistant disease.
How does the combination of immunotherapy and dupilumab work to combat lung cancer?
The combination appears to enhance the body’s immune response against lung cancer. Immunotherapy, specifically checkpoint blockade, is known to activate T cells to fight cancer, and by blocking an allergy pathway with dupilumab, this response is strengthened, leading to improved tumor response.
Are there any side effects or risks associated with this treatment approach?
The text does not provide specific information about side effects or risks associated with this treatment approach. It is essential for patients to consult with their healthcare providers for a comprehensive understanding of potential risks and benefits.
What are the next steps following this research?
The researchers emphasize the need for larger clinical trials to validate the efficacy of dupilumab in treating lung cancer, especially NSCLC. They are also expanding their trials to include more patients and exploring the effects of dupilumab in early-stage lung cancer. Additionally, they are searching for biomarkers to predict which patients might benefit from this treatment.
Who funded this research, and why is it important?
The research received funding from various sources, including the National Institutes of Health and the Cancer Research Institute (CRI). The support from CRI underscores the significance of this discovery in advancing cancer treatment and the potential to enhance checkpoint blockade responses, ultimately benefiting patients.
More about Lung Cancer Immunotherapy
- Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine
- Nature Journal Article
- Cancer Research Institute (CRI)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
