Researchers at the University of Turku in Finland found TIMP-1, a protein traditionally known to prevent damage to the body's cells and tissues.
They found that this protein also plays an important role in the body's immunity against cancer, a discovery that could improve the effectiveness of current cancer treatments.
TIMP-1 protein is produced by dendritic cells, which are responsible for initiating immune responses and enhancing the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
“For patients lacking TIMP-1 expression, our discovery helps create rational therapeutic innovations,” said Carlos Rogério Figueiredo, a researcher at the University of Turku.
Figueiredo said these findings are also relevant to fighting virus and bacterial infections, as this process is part of a universal mechanism that fights microorganisms and cancer in a similar way.
The study was published in the journal Genes & Immunity, part of the Nature Portfolio series.
The study used samples from the Finnish Aurea Biobank for clinical-oriented discoveries, which were validated with the latest biochemical and immunological tools to propose a new molecular approach to how the body fights cancer .
They found that this protein also plays an important role in the body's immunity against cancer, a discovery that could improve the effectiveness of current cancer treatments.
TIMP-1 protein is produced by dendritic cells, which are responsible for initiating immune responses and enhancing the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
“For patients lacking TIMP-1 expression, our discovery helps create rational therapeutic innovations,” said Carlos Rogério Figueiredo, a researcher at the University of Turku.
Figueiredo said these findings are also relevant to fighting virus and bacterial infections, as this process is part of a universal mechanism that fights microorganisms and cancer in a similar way.
The study was published in the journal Genes & Immunity, part of the Nature Portfolio series.
The study used samples from the Finnish Aurea Biobank for clinical-oriented discoveries, which were validated with the latest biochemical and immunological tools to propose a new molecular approach to how the body fights cancer .
