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Researchers Boost T Cell Power Against Cancer by Reprogramming Metabolism

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Researchers have made significant strides in enhancing the immune system’s T cells to combat cancer more effectively. By blocking a protein known as Ant2, a team led by PhD student Omri Yosef and Prof. Michael Berger from the Faculty of Medicine at Hebrew University has reprogrammed how these cells produce and consume energy. This alteration enhances the T cells’ activity, resilience, and ability to attack tumors, paving the way for innovative cancer therapies.

The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights a crucial finding: when T cells are compelled to change their energy conversion processes, their efficiency at identifying and eliminating tumors increases dramatically. The research involved collaboration with Prof. Magdalena Huber from Philipps University of Marburg and Prof. Eyal Gottlieb from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, showcasing a global effort to improve cancer treatment.

At the core of this research is the mitochondria, often referred to as the “metabolic hub” of cells. By disrupting a specific energy pathway within the T cells, the researchers essentially rewired the cells’ internal mechanisms, resulting in heightened readiness and enhanced capabilities. The altered T cells demonstrated increased stamina, quicker replication, and more precise targeting of cancerous cells.

Prof. Berger elaborates on their findings: “By disabling Ant2, we triggered a complete shift in how T cells produce and use energy. This reprogramming made them significantly better at recognizing and killing cancer cells.” By blocking this protein, the immune cells adapt their metabolism, transforming them into more robust, faster, and more aggressive defenders against cancer.

Perhaps most noteworthy is the potential for clinical applications. The team revealed that this metabolic rewiring could be achieved not only through genetic modifications but also via pharmacological interventions. This discovery is part of a broader trend in cancer immunotherapy aimed at not just directing the immune system but also enhancing its internal functions.

As the research progresses, the implications of these findings are promising. The goal is to develop new treatments that leverage the body’s innate defenses, fine-tuning them for optimal performance.

“This work highlights how deeply interconnected metabolism and immunity truly are,”

says Prof. Berger. “By learning how to control the power source of our immune cells, we may be able to unlock therapies that are both more natural and more effective.”

The study, cited as Yosef, O., et al. (2025), illustrates a pivotal moment in the fight against cancer, offering hope for therapies that harness the body’s own mechanisms to combat disease more effectively. As further studies and clinical trials are initiated, the research holds the potential to transform the landscape of cancer treatment, moving towards approaches that are not only innovative but also grounded in the body’s natural immune responses.

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