Phagocytosis - Cancer Science

What is Phagocytosis?

Phagocytosis is a crucial process in the immune system where specialized cells, known as phagocytes, engulf and digest foreign particles, cellular debris, and pathogens. This process is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and defending against infections.

How does Phagocytosis Relate to Cancer?

In the context of cancer, phagocytosis plays a dual role. On one hand, it can contribute to the elimination of cancer cells by immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils. On the other hand, certain cancer cells can evade phagocytosis, allowing them to proliferate and metastasize.

How Do Cancer Cells Evade Phagocytosis?

Cancer cells develop various mechanisms to evade phagocytosis, including the expression of "don't eat me" signals such as CD47. CD47 interacts with SIRPα on macrophages, sending an inhibitory signal that prevents the phagocytic process. This immune evasion is a significant challenge in cancer treatment.

Can Enhancing Phagocytosis Help in Cancer Therapy?

Yes, enhancing phagocytosis is a promising strategy in cancer therapy. Therapeutic approaches that block "don't eat me" signals, such as anti-CD47 antibodies, can enhance the ability of immune cells to recognize and engulf cancer cells. This can potentially lead to better outcomes in cancer treatment.

What are the Challenges in Targeting Phagocytosis in Cancer?

While targeting phagocytosis holds promise, several challenges remain. One major issue is the specificity of treatments; enhancing phagocytosis indiscriminately could lead to autoimmune reactions where healthy cells are also targeted. Additionally, the tumor microenvironment can be immunosuppressive, further complicating the efficacy of such therapies.

Are There Any Clinical Trials Focused on Phagocytosis in Cancer?

Yes, several clinical trials are currently investigating therapies that enhance phagocytosis in cancer. These include trials for anti-CD47 antibodies and other agents designed to boost the phagocytic activity of immune cells. Preliminary results are promising, indicating potential benefits in treating various types of cancer.

Future Directions

Future research aims to better understand the mechanisms by which cancer cells evade phagocytosis and to develop more targeted therapies. Combining phagocytosis-enhancing treatments with other forms of immunotherapy could offer synergistic effects, leading to more effective cancer treatments.

Relevant Publications

Phagosome Isolation with Magnetic Beads and Purification of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) Complexes in Phagosomes.

Issue Release: 2025

A Streptococcus pneumoniae endolysin mutant protein ΔA146Ply elicits rapid broad-spectrum mucosal protection in mice via upregulation of GPX4 through TLR4/IRG1/NRF2 to alleviate macrophage ferroptosis.

Issue Release: 2024

The Role of LC3-Associated Phagocytosis Inhibits the Inflammatory Response in Aspergillus fumigatus Keratitis.

Issue Release: 2024

GSDME-mediated pyroptosis promotes anti-tumor immunity of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.

Issue Release: 2024

Discovery and Quantitative Dissection of Cytokinesis Mechanisms Using Dictyostelium discoideum.

Issue Release: 2024

Deciphering the pathogenesis of melanized focal changes in the white skeletal muscle of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Issue Release: 2024

Acetylcholinesterase and dopamine inhibition suppress the filtration rate, burrowing behaviours, and immunological responses induced by bisphenol A in the hemocytes and gills of date mussels, Lithophaga lithophaga.

Issue Release: 2024

CD151-enriched migrasomes mediate hepatocellular carcinoma invasion by conditioning cancer cells and promoting angiogenesis.

Issue Release: 2024

TREM2 deficiency aggravates renal injury by promoting macrophage apoptosis and polarization via the JAK-STAT pathway in mice.

Issue Release: 2024

Clinicopathological analysis of immunohistochemical CD47 and signal-regulatory protein-α expression in Extranodal Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma.

Issue Release: 2024

Macrophage extracellular traps suppress particulate matter-induced airway inflammation.

Issue Release: 2024

PKC-α IS INVOLVED IN THE SIGNALING OF PHAGOCYTOSIS INDUCED BY TWO SNAKE VENOM SECRETORY PLAS IN MACROPHAGES.

Issue Release: 2024

Polysaccharides from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. leaves alleviates alcohol-induced mouse brain injury and BV-2 microglial dysfunction.

Issue Release: 2024

Structural characteristics, immune-activating mechanisms in vitro, and immunomodulatory effects in vivo of the exopolysaccharide EPS53 from Streptococcus thermophilus XJ53.

Issue Release: 2024

Evaluating the antibody response elicited by diverse HIV envelope immunogens in the African green monkey (Vervet) model.

Issue Release: 2024

The influence of bioceramic cements on the activity of macrophages of different lineages: a laboratory study.

Issue Release: 2024

G-protein coupled receptors regulates Tauopathy in neurodegeneration.

Issue Release: 2024

Identification and validation of miR-29b-3p and LIN7A as important diagnostic markers for bone non-union by WGCNA.

Issue Release: 2024

Neolignans in Magnolia officinalis as natural anti-Alzheimer\'s disease agents: A systematic review.

Issue Release: 2024

Abnormal HCK/glutamine/autophagy axis promotes endometriosis development by impairing macrophage phagocytosis.

Issue Release: 2024

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