Health

New Hope For Cancer Patients! Scientists Explore IgE Antibodies As A Game-Changer For HER2 Cancers

Immunotherapy, or antibody treatment that activates the patient’s own immune system against cancer, is increasingly being studied as an alternative to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This is because it directly targets cancer cells, reducing the negative effects associated with more conventional treatments.

Tumours, such as some breast and ovarian cancers, can express the marker HER2. HER2 is responsible for cancer growth and is the target of existing therapies, such as the most commonly used type of antibodies, IgG. However, this treatment is not always effective in some patients.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue

Now, scientists have investigated a different antibody type, IgE, which activates the patient’s immune system in different ways than IgG. As they act on different immune cells to IgG, IgE antibodies uniquely stimulate otherwise inactive immune cells in the ‘microenvironment’ surrounding the tumour to target the cancer cells directly.

In the study, led by Dr Heather Bax at King’s College London, the team engineered IgE versions of existing IgG therapies and tested their ability to activate immune cells against HER2-expressing cancer cells.

IgE was shown to direct immune cells against HER2-expressing cancer cells, and slowed tumour growth in mice. The tumours grown in mice are known to be resistant to conventional treatments, suggesting this new treatment could be an option for patients who don’t respond to existing therapy.

Further investigation revealed that IgE antibodies stimulated and reprogrammed the ‘immune microenvironment’ around the tumours themselves, shifting from an immunosuppressive to an immunostimulatory response. This means the immune system was activated to target the cancer cells and overcome the tumour’s actions to suppress attack.

The study has shown the potential of IgE as a new therapy for HER2-expressing cancers, including those resistant to other treatments. The researchers believe that, with the right investment and development, this approach could be used in humans in as soon as 3-5 years.

Senior Author Dr Heather Bax, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, at King’s College London, said, “Around 20% of breast and ovarian cancers express the marker, HER2. By generating anti-HER2 IgE antibodies equivalent to the clinically used IgGs, for the first time we demonstrate that IgEs harness unique mechanisms to reprogramme the immune microenvironment, switching immune cells to effectively target HER2-expressing cancers, including those resistant to existing therapies.

“Our findings indicate that IgE antibodies could offer a potential new therapy option for patients with HER2-expressing cancer.”

Co-Author Professor Sophia Karagiannis, Professor of Translational Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, in St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, at King’s College London, added, “By generating a panel of IgE antibodies and studying them in different tumour types, we consistently found that the human immune system reacts in the presence of IgE to restrict the growth of cancer.

“The findings of our latest study speak to the potential of applying IgE to stimulate effective responses against hard-to-treat solid tumours. This new class of drugs holds promise to benefit different patient groups and opens a new frontier in the battle against cancer.”

Dr Kotryna Temcinaite, head of research communications and engagement at Breast Cancer Now, who provided funding for the study, said, “This exciting research could lead to much-needed new treatments for people with HER2 positive breast cancer whose cancers don’t respond to existing therapies. Now we know that the treatment works in principle in mice, researchers can continue to develop this immunotherapy to make it suitable for people, as well as to understand the full effect it could have and who it may benefit the most.”

(With inputs from ANI)

ALSO READ: Heartbroken Mom Reveals Son’s Terrifying Disorder: ‘He Eats Walls, Screws, And Even His Own Nappies!’

Lavanya R

I am a multimedia producer with good experience in video production, scriptwriting, and editing. I craft compelling content by blending creativity with technical skills to ensure high-quality, engaging videos for Social Media. Additionally, I contribute to NewsX Website by writing news stories, staying updated on current events, and delivering timely content for the website.

Recent Posts

Watch: Yuvraj Singh’s Heated Exchange With West Indies Masters’ Tino Best Brings Back Memories Of Epic Flintoff Clash

Cricket fans were treated to a thrilling spectacle as India Masters triumphed over West Indies…

1 minute ago

AFCAT 1 Result 2025 Out: Check And Download Your Marks Now

Candidates who have secured the minimum qualifying marks set by the IAF will proceed to…

17 minutes ago

PCB’s Financial Blowout: 5-Star Hotels Axed, Match Fees Slashed After Rs 869 Crore Loss In Champions Trophy, Says Report

The Champions Trophy 2025 was meant to be a grand cricketing spectacle for Pakistan, marking…

31 minutes ago

Jio Unveils Exclusive Offer For Cricket Lovers Ahead Of IPL 2025

Jio announces an exclusive IPL 2025 offer! Get 90-day free JioHotstar in 4K, a 50-day…

34 minutes ago

How MS Dhoni Made Up For Missing R Ashwin’s 100th Test: A Touching CSK Reunion

Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India's finest spin-bowling all-rounders, bid farewell to international cricket during the…

1 hour ago

Ayushmann Khurrana Becomes ‘Fit India’ Icon In PM Modi’s Fit India Movement To Promote Fitness

The movement encourages people from all walks of life to adopt fitness as a daily…

1 hour ago