Scientists turn cancer-promoting protein PPARδ into a weapon against tumors

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that the protein PPARδ, which helps cancer grow, can also boost the immune system's ability to destroy tumors. Turning it up in T cells slowed tumor growth in mice, and half of the mice with colorectal cancer rejected their tumors entirely when the boosted cells were combined with immunotherapy. The approach has not been tested in people.

• Boosting PPARδ in cancer cells made tumors grow faster and weakened immune attack
• Enhanced T cells controlled melanoma, breast cancer and aggressive colorectal cancer better
• Half of the mice rejected tumors when boosted cells were paired with immunotherapy
• Engineered CAR T cells with higher PPARδ slowed human tumor growth in three models