What is happening
Researchers at Israel’s prestigious Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a crucial gene, Zeb2, which acts as a “master switch” for immune cells called macrophages. This discovery marks a step forward in cancer treatment by potentially shifting immune cells from aiding cancer growth to actively fighting it.
Why it matters
This breakthrough provides hope for a new class of cancer therapies, especially for bladder cancer, a type of cancer that has been historically difficult to treat. Silencing the Zeb2 gene could revolutionize how immune cells combat tumors, shifting them from a supportive to an aggressive state against cancer.
Details
The research led by Prof. Ido Amit alongside Dr. Fadi Sheban demonstrated that when Zeb2 is silenced, immune cells reprogram themselves to become cancer fighters rather than cancer supporters. The wide-ranging potential of this discovery has already been proven in lab experiments and mouse models, where tumors showed a significant reduction post-treatment.
The Israeli Advantage
This achievement highlights Israel’s commitment to cutting-edge research and collaboration on a global scale. Working with experts like Prof. Marcin Kortylewski from the USA and using advanced Israeli technologies such as the deep learning tool MrVI, Israeli scientists are at the forefront of personalizing and advancing cancer treatment for better patient outcomes.
What’s next
The promising results in mice indicate a path forward for developing a human therapy targeting the Zeb2 gene. The uniqueness of such a DNA technique positions Israel at the pinnacle of cancer research advancements, offering hope for improved cancer therapies worldwide.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.