PGE(2) limits effector expansion of tumour-infiltrating stem-like CD8(+) T cells. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38658748/)

These scientists wanted to understand why some cancer treatments work better for some patients than others. They found that a substance called prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in tumors can stop a specific type of immune cells called TCF1(+)CD8(+) T cells from growing and becoming strong enough to fight cancer. They discovered that PGE2 works through certain receptors in the immune cells to prevent them from becoming effective cancer fighters.

To test this, the scientists blocked these receptors in the immune cells in mice with cancer and found that the immune cells were able to grow and fight the cancer better. They also found that PGE2 stops these immune cells from responding to a signal called interleukin-2 (IL-2) that helps them become strong fighters against cancer.

This study shows that by blocking the effects of PGE2 in the immune cells, we may be able to make cancer treatments more effective by helping the immune system fight off cancer cells better.

Lacher SB., Dorr J., de Almeida GP., Honninger J., Bayerl F., Hirschberger A., Pedde AM., Meiser P., Ramsauer L., Rudolph TJ., Spranger N., Morotti M., Grimm AJ., Jarosch S., Oner A., Gregor L., Lesch S., Michaelides S., Fertig L., Briukhovetska D., Majed L., Stock S., Busch DH., Buchholz VR., Knolle PA., Zehn D., Dangaj Laniti D., Kobold S., Bottcher JP. PGE(2) limits effector expansion of tumour-infiltrating stem-like CD8(+) T cells. Nature. 2024 May;629(8011):417-425. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07254-x. Epub 2024 Apr 24.