We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Inhibition of RNA-Editing Enzyme Sensitizes Tumors to Immunotherapy

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 14 Jan 2019
An international team of cancer researchers has reported that by blocking the function of the RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 (Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA1) in tumor cells, they could profoundly sensitize tumors to immunotherapy and overcome resistance to checkpoint blockade therapy.

Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is a form of cancer treatment immunotherapy, which targets immune checkpoints, key regulators of the immune system that stimulate or inhibit its actions. More...
Tumors can use these checkpoints to protect themselves from attacks by the immune system. Checkpoint therapy can block inhibitory checkpoints, restoring immune system function. However, most cancer patients either do not respond to immune checkpoint blockade or develop resistance to it, often because of acquired mutations that impair antigen presentation.

Investigators at Bar-Ilan University (Ramat Gan, Israel), Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA, USA), and their collaborators reported in the December 17, 2018, online edition of the journal Nature that in the absence of ADAR1, A-to-I editing of interferon-inducible RNA species was reduced.

Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) modifications contribute to nearly 90% of all editing events in RNA. The deamination of adenosine is catalyzed by the double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase (ADAR), which typically acts on pre-mRNAs. The deamination of adenosine to inosine disrupts and destabilizes the dsRNA base pairing, therefore rendering that particular dsRNA less able to produce siRNA, which interferes with the RNAi pathway.

The investigators found that loss of ADAR1 overcame resistance to the PD-1 (Programmed cell death protein 1) checkpoint blockade caused by inactivation of antigen presentation by tumor cells, which resulted in growth inhibition and tumor inflammation.

"We found that if the mechanism is blocked, the immune system is much more sensitive. When the mechanism is deactivated, the immune system becomes much more aggressive against the tumor cells," said contributing author Dr. Erez Levanon, associate professor of life sciences at Bar-Ilan University.

Related Links:
Bar-Ilan University
Harvard Medical School


Gold Member
Pharmacogenetics Panel
VeriDose Core Panel v2.0
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
UHF RFID Tag & Inlay
AD-327 U9 ETSI Pure 95
New
Varicella Zoster Test
ZEUS ELISA Varicella Zoster IgG Test System
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Gut microbes may help in recognizing and treating pancreatic cancer (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Gut Microbes Could Enable Early Detection and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most serious and challenging diseases in oncology due to its difficulty in detection and limited treatment options. Now, a new international collaborative study suggests... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The tip optofluidic immunoassay platform enables rapid, multiplexed antibody profiling using only 1 μL of fingertip blood (Photo courtesy of hLife, DOI:10.1016/j.hlife.2025.04.005)

POC Diagnostic Platform Performs Immune Analysis Using One Drop of Fingertip Blood

As new COVID-19 variants continue to emerge and individuals accumulate complex histories of vaccination and infection, there is an urgent need for diagnostic tools that can quickly and accurately assess... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The U.S. FDA-cleared IntelliSep rapid host response diagnostic represents a breakthrough in sepsis care (Photo courtesy of Cytovale)

Rapid Diagnostic Test Slashes Sepsis Mortality by 39%

Sepsis remains one of the most challenging and fatal conditions in contemporary healthcare, accounting for nearly one-third of all hospital-related deaths in the United States. In emergency departments... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The knowledge transfer partnership will further develop technology to rapidly diagnose serious and high-risk infectious diseases (Photo courtesy of Aston University)

Aston University and BG Research Partner to Commercialize Groundbreaking Medical Diagnostic

Technology that can rapidly diagnose high-consequence infectious diseases will take a major step forward towards commercialization, thanks to a new partnership. A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.