Uppsala University - Latest News Update, Information, Photos & Videos on Uppsala University at Lokmat Times

Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have discovered lymph node-like structures close to the tumour in brain cancer patients, where immune cells can be activated to attack the tumour.In their study published in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers found that immunotherapy enhanced the formation of these structures in a mouse model. This discovery suggests new opportunities to regulate the anti-tumour response of the immune system.Glioma is a deadly brain tumour with a dismal prognosis. One reason why brain tumours are very hard to treat is that our immune system, which is designed to detect and destroy foreign cells including cancer cells, cannot easily reach the tumour site due to the barriers that surround the brain.To fight a developing tumour, killer immune cells such as T lymphocytes must be activated and primed in our lymph nodes, before travelling to the tumour site to effectively kill the cancer cells. Because of the barriers around the brain, it is a challenging process for T lymphocytes to reach the tumour.The researchers describe their discovery of structures similar to lymph nodes in the brain where T lymphocytes could be activated."It was extremely exciting to discover for the first time the presence of lymph node-like structures in glioma patients. These structures are known as tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and they are not found in healthy individuals. They have all the components needed to support lymphocyte activation on-site which means that they could have a positive effect on the anti-tumour immune response," said Alessandra Vaccaro, PhD student at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology.The researchers also showed that the formation of TLS in the brain can be induced by a type of immunotherapy in glioma-bearing mice. Indeed, when they treated the mice with immunostimulatory antibodies called aCD40, the formation of TLS was enhanced and always occurred in proximity to tumours."Learning that immunotherapies can modulate the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures in the brain offers exciting opportunities to find new ways of regulating the anti-tumour immune response in glioma," said Anna Dimberg.aCD40 is currently being tested to treat brain tumours in a number of clinical trials. In the study now published, the researchers found that while aCD40 boosted TLS formation, it also counterproductively inhibited the tumour-killing ability of the T lymphocytes. The study has therefore provided important insights into the multifaceted effects of aCD40 therapy.( With inputs from ANI )Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Uppsala UniversityFOLLOW

Uppsala university, Latest News

CRISPR-Cas9 is the "genetic scissors," that creates new potential for curing diseases. But the treatments must be reliable. In a new study, researchers have discovered that the method can give rise to unforeseen changes in DNA that can be inherited b ...

One is recommended to sleep for a minimum of atleast 8 hours, to ensure a good heart, but does one's sleeping hours also affect intense exercise and its impact on the heart? A new study suggests talks about the same. ...

Recent studies among Syrian refugee families in Turkey and families with infants in Sweden and Bhutan have suggested that children of mothers in poor mental health have the risk of lacking in their cognitive development. ...

A recent study has found that having plenty of people around them and an available community are two of the most important factors for helping children of mothers with depression. ...

New studies among Syrian refugee families in Turkey and families with infants in Sweden and Bhutan have found that children of mothers in poor mental health risk falling behind in their cognitive development. ...

During a recent study, Uppsala University researchers designed new antibodies that might provide more effective treatment methods for Alzheimer's disease. ...

Researchers at Uppsala University have designed new antibodies that might provide more effective treatment methods for Alzheimer's disease. ...

Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have discovered lymph node-like structures close to the tumour in brain cancer patients, where immune cells can be activated to attack the tumour. ...