Study Reveals Link Between Aging Immune System and Cancer Growth

A new study by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai explores why aging is the most significant risk factor for cancer and offers promising insights into potential prevention and treatment strategies.

Using mouse models, the research team demonstrated that cancer grows more rapidly in older mice compared to younger ones. They also found that transplanting bone marrow from older mice into younger ones accelerated cancer growth, while rejuvenating the immune system in older mice significantly reduced cancer progression.

The researchers identified specific inflammatory pathways, particularly those involving interleukin-1⍺ (IL-1⍺) and IL-1β, as key drivers of this process. By blocking these pathways, they were able to reverse the damaging effects in mouse models, potentially opening new avenues for cancer prevention in humans.

“Our study shows that an aged immune system promotes cancer progression, independent of the age of the cancer cells or the surrounding tissue,” explains Miriam Merad, senior corresponding author of the paper published in Science. “We've long suspected that inflammation can suppress anti-tumor immunity, particularly in older individuals and cancer patients. However, this is the first robust evidence proving that chronic inflammation from an aging immune system predisposes to cancer.”

The study also revealed that anakinra, a drug currently used for inflammatory conditions, could potentially be repurposed to block harmful signals between early lung cancer lesions and the bone marrow. This discovery has led to the initiation of early-phase clinical trials to investigate the use of anakinra in high-risk patients.

According to Thomas Marron, co-senior author, "This study reveals that targeting the aging immune system could significantly reduce cancer risk in older adults. It suggests that enhancing the immune response through immunotherapy might be more effective than directly targeting tumors."