Researchers at the University of Queensland Translational Research Institute have discovered how bladder cancer suppresses the immune system’s natural killer (NK) cells.
The discovery could see researchers apply existing drugs to target and neutralise the mechanism, allowing the NK immune cells to kill the cancer.
The team led by Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes said the research, published in The Lancet’s journal, eBioMedicine, could lead to new bladder cancer therapies.
“For us, it is all about unlocking the power of immunotherapy,” said Associate Professor Guimaraes.
The researchers found that bladder cancer suppresses immune cells by releasing a protein called TGF-β, and blocking that protein may offer a new therapy.
“Our research is a step towards clinical trials to explore the effectiveness of TGF-β inhibitors combined with NK cell-based therapies.”
Bladder cancer is the ninth most common malignancy in the world, with more than 3,000 people diagnosed in Australia and more than 1,000 dying in 2023. It occurs when cells in the bladder's lining grow and divide abnormally and uncontrolled.
Associate Professor Guimaraes’ PhD candidate Joshua Wong discovered the bladder cancer immune suppression mechanism.
“It really was a eureka moment and it’s extremely motivating to come in here every day and do your best work, because ultimately we are trying to find a cure for cancer,” said Mr Wong.
The standard treatment for early-stage bladder cancer is endoscopic surgery, occasionally combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. For advanced disease, more invasive surgery or radiotherapy is combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, which are associated with significant ill health and life-long impacts on quality of life.
Associate Professor Guimaraes said NK cells are immune system components that naturally attack cancer cells. They are a focus of emerging cancer treatments, including antibody-based immunotherapies. The side effects of immunotherapy for cancer are generally less severe than those of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.