Although much research is underway on prostate cancer, the mechanisms underlying resistance to therapy are still poorly understood. Most of the treatments currently used in the clinic initially induce an irreversible arrest of cell growth, known as cellular senescence.
The study by a group of scientists from Vimm – Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), the University of Padua and the Oncological Research Institute (IOR) of Bellinzona in the University of Italian Switzerland has identified an innovative approach for treat prostate cancer that involves cellular senescence and a subset of anti-tumor immune system cells, known as Natural Killer cells (NK cells).
They found that retinoic acid receptor agonists can inhibit the growth of tumor cells and can be combined with docetaxel, a drug commonly used to treat prostate cancer.
“Our studies have delved into the effects of the combination of docetaxel con adapalene, a third-generation retinoic acid receptor agonist. In particular, we focused on the possibility that these two drugs together could stimulate the immune system to fight the tumor. We have thus demonstrated that the synergy not only enhances the anti-tumor effect of each drug, but also activates an anti-tumor immune response mediated by NK cells.” say the researchers.
Retinoic acid receptor activation reprograms senescence response and enhances anti-tumor activity of natural killer cells.
Colucci M, Zumerle S, Bressan S, Gianfanti F, Troiani M, Valdata A, D’Ambrosio M, Pasquini E, Varesi A, Cogo F, Mosole S, Dongilli C, Desbats MA, Contu L, Revankdar A, Chen J, Kalathur M, Perciato ML, Basilotta R, Endre L, Schauer S, Othman A, Guccini I, Saponaro M, Maraccani L, Bancaro N, Lai P, Liu L, Pernigoni N, Mele F, Merler S, Trotman LC, Guarda G , Cali B, Montopoli MAlimonti A.
Cancer Cell. 2024 Feb 27:S1535-6108(24)00048-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.02.004. Online ahead of print.