American molecular biologists have found that estrogen suppresses the activity of eosinophil immune cells (a type of white blood cell, their main function is to fight multicellular parasites), which fight breast cancer and other tumors. Suppression of estrogen receptors improved the ability of immune system cells to resist tumors. The results of the study were published in the journal Science Advances.
“We have discovered a relatively simple way to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies targeting triple-negative breast cancer,” said Duke University professor Donald McDonnell.
He admitted that this would also allow for greater results in the treatment of melanoma and colorectal cancer.
According to the publication, as part of the study, scientists implanted triple-negative breast cancer cells into the body of rodents and observed how they interact with the immune system. The female hormone estrogen, which is associated with breast cancer and can affect eosinophils, accelerated tumor growth by reducing the number of immune cells and their activity in fighting cancer cells. After blocking their work, the tumor volume in the body of the mice was halved when compared with individuals in the control group, although the form of immunotherapy did not change.
