COVID Caused Cancer Tumors to Shrink in Mice and We Want to Know How

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has revealed an unexpected twist: severe COVID-19 infection may help shrink cancer tumors. This surprising discovery, based on research in mice, could open up new possibilities for cancer treatment and give us a better understanding of how the immune system interacts with cancer cells.

However, experts are quick to point out that this doesn’t mean people should try to catch COVID-19 on purpose. The study highlights the important role the immune system plays in fighting cancer, a topic that’s also at the heart of ongoing cancer research. Many cancer treatments already work by boosting the immune system, showing just how crucial it can be in the battle against cancer.

How Tumor Cells Manipulate Monocytes to Protect Themselves from the Immune System

Building on this discovery, the researchers focused on a type of white blood cell called monocytes, which play a key role in defending the body against infections. In cancer patients, however, tumor cells can sometimes manipulate monocytes, turning them into cancer-friendly cells that protect the tumor from the immune system.

What the study revealed is that severe COVID-19 infection prompts the body to produce a special type of monocyte with unique anti-cancer abilities. These “induced” monocytes are initially trained to target the virus, but they also retain their ability to fight cancer cells. 

To understand how this works, the researchers examined the genetic material of the virus that causes COVID. They discovered that these induced monocytes have a specific receptor that binds effectively to a sequence of COVID RNA. As Ankit Bharat, one of the researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago, explained, “If the monocyte was a lock, and the COVID RNA was a key, then COVID RNA is the perfect fit.”

Tumors Shrink Across Four Cancer Types

To test their hypothesis, the research team experimented on mice with advanced (stage 4) cancers, including melanoma, lung, breast, and colon cancer. They administered a drug that mimicked the immune response to severe COVID-19, triggering special monocyte production. The results were striking—tumors across all four cancer types shrank.

Unlike regular monocytes, which tumors manipulate into protective cells, these induced monocytes retained their cancer-fighting properties. They migrated to tumor sites, a challenge for most immune cells. Once at the tumor sites, they activated natural killer (NK) cells. These NK cells then attacked and destroyed the cancer cells, shrinking the tumors.

This discovery suggests a new approach to cancer treatment. It doesn’t rely on T cells like current immunotherapy treatments. Immunotherapy works for some but not all, especially when the body lacks healthy T cells. Thus, this mechanism could offer an alternative for patients who don’t respond to traditional treatments.

Since the research was conducted in mice, clinical trials in humans are necessary. The study suggests that this mechanism could target other types of cancer. Additionally, it may lead to new drugs or vaccines that stimulate cancer-fighting monocyte production.

Don’t Seek COVID for Cancer Treatment: The Risks Are Too High

This part of the research highlights the study’s broader implications. It suggests that the immune system can be “trained” by COVID to fight other threats, like cancer. This concept, called “trained immunity,” is a promising research area. If developed, it could lead to new treatments for various diseases.

However, the researchers stress that people should not purposely try to get COVID to fight cancer. COVID-19 can be very dangerous, especially in severe cases, with serious long-term health effects.

The key takeaway is that this research offers valuable insights. These insights could help create safer, more targeted treatments in the future. Despite COVID’s challenges and long-term effects, studies like this show the importance of ongoing scientific research. It addresses immediate health threats like COVID and may lead to breakthroughs in treating serious diseases, like cancer.

While much more work is needed before these findings apply to human treatments, the study is an important step forward. It helps us better understand the complex connections between viruses, the immune system, and cancer. It offers hope for future therapies and shows how scientific discoveries lead to unexpected medical advancements.

Author

Bernice Lottering