Washington, Sept 07 (SANA) Elevated glucose levels in the environment surrounding tumors may increase the thickness of a sugar-rich layer on some cancer cells and potentially help them evade immune surveillance, according to a U.S. study reported Sunday by Sputnik.
Researchers at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found that the sugar-rich layer, known as the glycocalyx, is affected by conditions surrounding cancer cells, particularly glucose levels. Increased thickness of the layer may make it more difficult for the immune system to recognize and attack the cells, Sputnik reported.
According to the study, published in the journal Science Advances, researchers tested cellular responses in laboratory environments designed to mimic the physical properties and nutrients found in healthy tissue and the environment surrounding tumors.
They found that elevated glucose levels, under certain conditions designed to mimic the body’s physiological environment, increased the thickness of the glycocalyx.
The findings showed that a protein known as HSF1 plays a role in regulating formation of the sugar-rich layer. Inhibiting HSF1 activity limited the glucose-associated increase in glycocalyx thickness, suggesting that the protein could be investigated as a potential future target for reducing cancer cells’ ability to evade immune surveillance.
Researchers said the findings offer a potential explanation for how metabolic conditions, including elevated glucose levels, may affect the ability of some cancer cells to escape the immune response.
Understanding the mechanism could contribute to research into new therapeutic strategies, particularly approaches intended to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies, they said.
The findings point to the need for further research into the relationship between metabolic changes, the tumor environment and immune response, as well as whether the mechanism could eventually be used in developing new treatments.
T.S /Ruaa
