Belgian researchers discover new treatment pathway for liver cancer
Researchers from the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology VIB and KU Leuven University have identified how cancerous cells spreading to the liver evade the immune system. By disrupting this process, they successfully restored the anti-cancer activity of immune cells and inhibited the growth of liver metastases. Liver metastases are among the most common and challenging forms of cancer to treat, with often unfavorable prognoses once cancer cells spread to the liver. The researchers found that metastatic cancer cells manipulate immune cells using a nutrient present in the liver, thereby compromising the body's natural defense mechanism. Blocking this effect in experimental models reactivated immune cells and reduced the growth of liver metastases. Scientists emphasize that further research is needed before this discovery can lead to patient treatments.