Scientists Uncover Cancer’s Concealed Defense Through Protein Discovery

Scientists at City of Hope have made a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment by identifying the YTHDF2 protein, which helps cancer cells evade detection by the immune system during CAR T cell therapy, SciTech Daily reported yesterday.

This advanced therapy is effective against blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, but many cancer cells have developed mechanisms to hide from it.

The research team has developed a new drug, CCI-38, that targets and suppresses YTHDF2, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy. This could lead to improved survival rates and fewer relapses for patients. YTHDF2 not only aids cancer cell survival but also reduces key antigen markers that the immune system uses to detect tumors.

The findings, published in Cell, suggest that targeting this protein may offer personalized treatment options for patients who do not respond to current therapies. City of Hope is now focusing on further improving CCI-38’s safety and effectiveness, with plans for clinical trials ahead.