Scientists shed new light on the link between obesity and cancer

Scientists have made a major discovery that sheds new light on the link between obesity and cancer. Their research confirms why the body's immune surveillance systems, run by natural killer cells that fight cancer, stutter and fail in the presence of excess fat. In addition, it outlines possible pathways to new treatment strategies that would allow fat-clogged natural killer cells to be reprogrammed and resume their activities.

More than 1.9 billion adults are overweight and obese (over one third of the adult population), which weighs heavily on the health and the economy of society because of many adverse health effects related to obesity, such as type 2. diabetes, cardiovascular disease and various infections. In addition, up to 50% of some cancers are attributed to obesity.

Until now, however, the impact of obesity on immune surveillance was poorly understood.

The research that has changed has been led by Associate Professor of Immunology Trinity College Dublin, Lydia Lynch, who is also conducting research at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in the United States. United. The research has just been published in the leading international journal Immunology of nature.

By working with natural killer cells of human origin and mice as model organisms, scientists have discovered that the molecular machinery of natural killer cells is clogged with excess fat in individuals obese. This obstruction does not prevent Natural Killer cells from recognizing tumor cells, but prevents them from killing them.

Further research then identified the specific metabolic stage that was stifled in fat-clogged natural killer cells and, offering promising prospects for the development of subsequent treatments, scientists were able to reprogram these cells. and restore their anticancer properties. abilities by providing them with a metabolic shake.

Professor Lynch said, "Despite increased public awareness, obesity and related illnesses continue to prevail, so it is increasingly urgent to understand the ways in which obesity causes cancer and other diseases, and develop new strategies to prevent its progression. "

"Our results highlight the immuno-metabolic pathways as a promising target for addressing immune defects in obesity and suggest that metabolic reprogramming of Natural Killer cells could boost their anticancer activity and improve treatment outcomes."

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More information:
Xavier Michelet et al., Metabolic reprogramming of natural killer cells in obesity limits antitumor responses, Immunology of nature (2018). DOI: 10.1038 / s41590-018-0251-7