Scientists have discovered how cancer cells hide from the immune system

Scientists have discovered a way for cancer cells to hide from the immune system.

Experts from the Sanford Burnham Prebys Institute for Medical Research have identified a mechanism by which cancer cells protect themselves from the body's immune system. This was reported by the "Science mail.ru" publication, citing a study published in the journal Science Advances.

According to the researchers, cancer cells disguise themselves by changing the immune cells, blood vessels and tissues around them. Observations have shown that an increase in glucose levels leads to a thickening of a special layer of sugar molecules around cells in the tumor environment - the glycocalyx. This thick shell hides cancer cells from attacks by the immune system.

As a result of the experiments, it was proven that a protein called HSF1 plays a key role in this process. Although this protein mainly protects cells from high temperatures, it also causes the development of breast cancer and its spread to other organs - metastasis.

The authors of the study say that increased blood sugar levels only enhance the ability of cancer cells to hide in an environment where the HSF1 protein is present.

This discovery could pave the way for the development of new types of drugs that could thin the protective coating on the surface of cancer cells and help the immune system more easily destroy the tumor.