3 ms·
> One can wonder if induction of some autoimmune condition may be used as a treatment of some cancers. This is one of the bases of the checkpoint inhibitor rev
by worstspotgain 2y ago
> One can wonder if induction of some autoimmune condition may be used as a treatment of some cancers.
This is one of the bases of the checkpoint inhibitor revolution in immunotherapy. [1] The checkpoint is there to prevent immunity excesses. Temporarily turning it off is effectively an autoimmune disorder [2], one that can take out the cancer.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checkpoint_inhibitor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checkpoint_inhibitor
[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02306/full https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10....
- zeagle 2y agoSimilarly checkpoint inhibitors can cause autoimmune conditions that look a lot like lupus, arthritis, inflammatory bowel, endocrine disorders, etc. and it's sometimes difficult to be able treat both as it can be antagonistic. E.g. one of the checkpoint inhibitors has the opposite effect of a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.