FAK inhibitors could allow immune system to attack cancer

An experimental inhibitor of the cellular protein focal adhesion kinase helped the immune system to recognise and attack tumours in mice.

Cellular protein focal adhesion kinase (FAK), may help shield tumours from the immune system, by inhibiting FAK researchers were able to shrink tumours in mice. In the image, light micrograph of squamous carcinoma cells

The cellular protein focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a role in cell-signalling pathways in cancer, promoting disease progression. But its precise effects within the nucleus have remained unclear.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, have now shown that nuclear FAK has a major role in making tumours resistant to immune-system attacks. They found that FAK promotes recruitment of tumour-associated regulatory T cells (Tregs). Tregs, in turn, inhibit the activity of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, allowing tumour growth.

The researchers, writing in Cell (online, 24 September 2015)[1]
, showed that treating mice with squamous cell carcinoma with a small-molecule FAK-inhibitor currently in clinical trials, called VS-4718, lead to immune-mediated tumour regression. They suggest future studies should therefore combine the use of FAK inhibitors with agents that stimulate CD8+ T cell activity.

References

[1] Serrels A, Lund T, Serrels B et al. Nuclear FAK controls chemokine transcription, Tregs, and evasion of anti-tumor immunity. Cell 2015;163:160–173. doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.09.001

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Citation
Clinical Pharmacist, CP, October 2015, Vol 7, No 9;7(9):DOI:10.1211/PJ.2015.20069442

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