A cholesterol derivative to produce reprogrammed tumour exosomes that activate the immune system against tumours

Normal cells release small extracellular vesicles, called exosomes, which play a beneficial role in monitoring tissue integrity and immune response. In contrast, cancer cells release exosomes, which help to inhibit immune defences and promote tumour progression. In the present study, the INOV team shows that a cholesterol derivative present in the human body, dendrogenin A, reprograms the functions of tumour exosomes towards normal functions, by activating a new exosome production pathway in cancer cells. The exosomes thus produced activate the immune system and inhibit tumour growth. This study reveals the possibility of using dendrogenin A as an innovative biotherapy to combat the effects of pro-tumour exosomes.

This study reveals the possibility of using dendrogenin A as an innovative biotherapy to treat various cancers, including melanoma, breast, leukaemia and neuro-endocrine cancers.

One Picture :

©Sandrine Silvente-Poirot Figure: Transmission electron microscopy of a tumour cell treated with dendrogenin A. Treatment of tumour cells with dendrogenin A (DDA), a cholesterol derivative, activates a new pathway for the release of small vesicles of 30 to 150 nm, called exosomes, which stimulate the immune system against the tumour and block tumour progression.

Collaborations and acknowledgements

The Toulouse Cancer Health Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, the associations against Cancer J’y Vais and  My Rose.