Nicholas P. Restifo: A Groundbreaking Discovery in Cancer Immunotherapy
Nicholas P. Restifo, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Medici Therapeutics; Managing Partner, RestifoPartners, LLC, posted the following on LinkedIn:
“A Groundbreaking Discovery in Cancer Immunotherapy
Mitochondria—long known as the ‘powerhouses’ of cells—are proving to be more complex and dynamic than we ever imagined. A recent study published in Nature reveals an astonishing mechanism by which cancer cells not only siphon mitochondria from T cells but also return defective mitochondria in exchange. This bidirectional transfer effectively sabotages immune cells and enhances tumor survival.
This research is rewriting our understanding of mitochondrial biology and its role in cancer. As Yosuke Togashi and his team uncovered, cancer cells exploit tunneling nanotubes to steal mitochondria from T cells, while releasing vesicles containing defective mitochondria that impair T cell function. This exchange leads to T cell senescence and reduced cancer-fighting ability.
Key Findings:
- Tumor cells actively exchange mitochondria with immune cells.
- Cancer-derived mitochondria impair T cell division and promote senescence.
- Blocking mitochondrial transfer can reduce tumor growth and enhance immunotherapy effectiveness.
Reflecting on the study, I commented to Asher Mullard from Nature:
‘Mitochondrial transfer plays an important role in TIL exhaustion. This work re-emphasizes the importance of mitochondrial health in disease biology. Scientists rarely look at mitochondrial DNA in cancer research, but maybe they should. It is very easy to do, and the field is going to expand.’
At Medici Therapeutics, we are exploring the vast potential of TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapies, while at Imel Biotherapeutics Inc, efforts are underway to infuse TILs with healthy mitochondria to supercharge their anti-tumor functions. These are exciting times in the fight against cancer, as we leverage cutting-edge insights to shape the future of immunotherapy.
For those interested, the full study, Immune evasion through mitochondrial transfer in the tumor microenvironment, is an essential read.
Let’s continue to push the boundaries of science to develop innovative therapies and empower the immune system in the fight against cancer.”
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