Researchers at Karolinska University have identified immune cells unique to women with pancreatic cancer, a breakthrough that may help explain why immunotherapy works differently for men and women. The finding appears in cancer research literature and adds a new layer to how the immune system interacts with pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a form of pancreatic cancer, is known for its poor prognosis. Across studies, patients often survive only four to six months after diagnosis, underscoring the urgency of new treatment approaches.
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for several cancers by stimulating the body’s own immune system to attack tumor cells. It has extended survival in cancers such as melanoma, lung, kidney, and liver. Yet in pancreatic cancer, efficacy remains limited due to the tumor’s intricate immune environment.
To explore this, researchers analyzed human tumor samples, developed three‑dimensional models of pancreatic cancer, and conducted experiments in living mice. They observed notable differences in tumor characteristics between women and men with this disease. In women, a population of macrophages expressing the FPR2 protein was identified.
FPR2 appears to interfere with T cells, suppressing the immune response against the tumor. As a result, macrophages in women may shield pancreatic tumors from immune attack, helping the cancer persist.
The study links these immune cells to poorer survival outcomes for women with pancreatic cancer. In mouse experiments, blocking the FPR2 protein curtailed tumor growth in female subjects, suggesting a potential pathway to improve immunotherapy effectiveness for women. While these findings are preliminary, they open avenues for more personalized treatment strategies that consider sex-based immune differences.
Researchers emphasize that translating these insights into clinical practice will require further investigation, including clinical trials and exploration of potential combinations that target FPR2 or related pathways. The results hold particular relevance for patients and clinicians in North America, where pancreatic cancer remains a critical and ongoing health challenge, and for ongoing efforts in Canada and the United States to refine immunotherapy approaches for diverse patient groups.