Cancer Cells and Their Pals

New research from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Follicular Lymphoma cells. The article is called "B-cell signaling networks reveal a negative
prognostic human lymphoma cell subset that emerges during tumor progression," and the full text is as thick and science-y as its title. Based on the abstract, I think I know what it's saying.

The problem with cancer isn't just the cancer cells, but the "host immune cells" that exist nearby. The interaction between the cancer cells and their neighbors seems to be what protects the cancer cells and keeps them from dying. In fNHL, says the research, there are a bunch of cells with low BCR, or B-Cell Antigen Receptors. The presence of these cells is an indication of how poorly a patient may respond to treatment -- more of these cells means less of a response to treatment.

Some good news, though: it seems possible to deactivate and reactivate the BCRs, suggesting that there's some mechanism that turns them off. So finding that mechanism and reversing it can mess with their abilities to protect cancer cells.

Someone in the support group also mentioned that this might hold a clue as to why RadioImmunoTherapy can be so effective: unlike some treatments that target only the cancer cells, the radiation in RIT will also destroy some nearby cells, maybe including the ones whose interaction with the actual cancer cells is creating problems.

Hard to get at all of the details, but it seems like potential good news all around. Of course, any time there's research that helps us understand lymphoma cells and their environment, it's good news.

Another piece of the puzzle. I trust that there are some smart people putting all of these pieces together.