McGill scientists supercharge natural killer cells against hard-to-treat cancers via PTPN1/PTPN2 inhibition
McGill researchers found that briefly blocking two phosphatase proteins, PTPN1 and PTPN2, makes the immune system's natural killer cells more effective against hard-to-treat tumors. In preclinical tests the boosted cells killed leukemia, glioblastoma, kidney, and triple-negative breast cancer cells. Human trials are pending funding and approval.
McGill University's Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, with the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, found that briefly inhibiting PTPN1 and PTPN2 phosphatases turns NK cells into more aggressive cancer fighters by making them resistant to TGF-beta-1 and more responsive to IL-2. Preclinical experiments killed cells from leukemia, glioblastoma, kidney cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. Study by Chu-Han Feng and Michel Tremblay, EMBO Reports. Acute myeloid leukemia may be the first human target. Trials await funding and regulatory approval.