In a significant breakthrough, researchers at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento, California, have identified a promising new avenue for cancer treatment. Their study, published in the journal Cell Death & Differentiation, reveals that CD95 receptors—also referred to as Fas or “death receptors”—can trigger a self-destruction process within cancer cells. These receptors, located on the surface of cells, when activated, set off a series of molecular events that lead to cell death. While their role in regulating cellular balance has been known, their potential for cancer treatment is only now coming to the forefront. "Previous attempts to target this receptor have not been successful. However, now that we have identified this epitope (target), there may be a viable therapeutic pathway for targeting Fas in tumors," explained Jogender Tushir-Singh, senior author of the study and associate professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.

Currently, conventional cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Additionally, immune-based therapies, such as CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy, have been used, although their effectiveness is generally limited to certain cancer types. “While CAR T-cell therapies have seen moderate success in treating liquid tumors, like leukemia, achieving long-term remission remains the biggest hurdle,” Tushir-Singh noted.

The findings from this study indicate that targeting the Fas epitope may help overcome resistance to treatment by inducing programmed cell death. This approach not only holds promise for improving the effectiveness of current immunotherapies but could also expand their use to treat solid tumors. "The success of CAR-T therapy appears to depend on off-target killing by Fas," Tushir-Singh added. He further emphasized the importance of screening cancer patients for Fas presence in their tumors before undergoing CAR-T therapy.

This discovery offers renewed hope in the battle against cancer, potentially leading to more effective treatments and better patient outcomes.