Breakthrough in Immunotherapy by Manipulating Dendritic Cell Enzymes

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Immunotherapy, a critical approach in cancer treatment, harnesses the body's immune system to combat tumours. A recent study from a research group at MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital revealed that targeting specific enzymes in dendritic cells (DCs), a vital immune system component, can enhance anti-tumour immunity. The findings, published in Cell Reports, suggest potential new therapeutic strategies in immunotherapy.

Cancer cells, being the body's cells that grow uncontrollably, are challenging for the immune system to identify and attack. Immunotherapy works by helping the immune system recognize and target these malignant cells. Dendritic cells play a vital role in this process by developing from precursor cells into various subgroups, each with distinct functions in the immune response. However, the precise mechanisms by which epigenetic changes—modifications to the chromatin structure—affect DC development and function were previously unclear.

The study focused on two enzymes, HDAC1 and HDAC2, which regulate these epigenetic processes. Through multi-omics analyses, which examine multiple biological data types, the researchers discovered that the absence of HDAC1 significantly impacts the development of specific DC subgroups. Without HDAC1, these DCs altered their immune responses, leading to improved tumour surveillance and enhanced anti-tumour immunity. Conversely, removing HDAC2 did not significantly affect DC development.

These results indicate that HDAC1 is crucial in shaping the immune capabilities of dendritic cells, and its inhibition can boost the body's ability to fight cancer. This discovery opens the door to new avenues in cancer immunotherapy, where manipulating specific enzymes in the immune system could lead to more effective treatments for patients.