A multidisciplinary research team has revealed that the circadian clock -- the biological pacemaker that governs daily rhythms in physiological processes, including immune functions -- can be leveraged to enhance the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitor cancer therapy.
Checkpoint inhibitors block different proteins from binding to tumor cells, allowing the immune system's T cells to kill the tumor.
"Disruption of the internal biological pacemaker is an inherent aspect of modern society that may contribute to the rising incidence of many cancer types. We found that proper regulation of circadian rhythms is necessary to suppress inflammation and support peak immune function," said corresponding author Selma Masri, UC Irvine associate professor of biological chemistry.
"As we enhance our understanding of the fundamental mechanism of circadian regulation of immunity, we will be able to harness the power of the body's natural rhythms to fight cancer and develop more personalized and effective treatment strategies," said lead author Bridget Fortin, a UC Irvine doctoral student in the Department of Biological Chemistry.
Other team members included UC Irvine School of Medicine graduate students and faculty from the departments of biological chemistry, physiology and biophysics, surgery, and medicine.Bridget M. Fortin, Shannon M. Pfeiffer, Jacob Insua-Rodríguez, Hamad Alshetaiwi, Alexander Moshensky, Wei A. Song, Alisa L. Mahieu, Sung Kook Chun, Amber N. Lewis, Alex Hsu, Isam Adam, Oliver S. Eng, Nicholas R. Pannunzio, Marcus M. Seldin, Ivan Marazzi, Francesco Marangoni, Devon A.
Immune System Lymphoma Brain Tumor Colon Cancer Lung Cancer Breast Cancer Prostate Cancer
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