Researchers have discovered that a widely used asthma medication could help overcome tumor resistance to cancer immunotherapy. The study, conducted by scientists at Northwestern University, found that the asthma drug montelukast may disable a key tumor “switch” that helps cancers evade immune system attacks.
How Tumors Evade Immunotherapy
The researchers identified a molecule called CysLTR1 as a major driver of immunotherapy resistance. Normally, this molecule plays a role in asthma and inflammation. However, scientists found that tumors exploit it to manipulate neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, allowing cancer cells to grow unchecked.
By blocking CysLTR1, researchers successfully slowed tumor growth and restored the immune system’s ability to attack cancer cells. They achieved these results using existing asthma drugs such as montelukast, also known as Singulair.
Study Shows Promising Results Across Multiple Cancers
The team tested the treatment approach in mouse models of several aggressive cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. The findings showed that blocking the CysLTR1 pathway improved survival rates and enhanced responses to immunotherapy, even in tumors that had previously stopped responding to treatment.
Additionally, researchers observed that the treatment did more than eliminate harmful immune cells. Instead, it reprogrammed neutrophils to support the body’s immune response against tumors. This discovery could open new possibilities for cancer treatment strategies.
Existing Asthma Drug Could Fast-Track Cancer Trials
Because montelukast is already FDA-approved for asthma and allergy treatment, researchers believe clinical trials for cancer patients could begin relatively quickly. Scientists now plan to identify which patients may benefit most and determine how best to combine the drug with existing immunotherapy treatments.
As per Medical Xpress, the findings could prove especially significant for patients with aggressive cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer, where treatment options remain limited.
Growing Focus on Combination Cancer Therapies
Meanwhile, experts continue exploring combination therapies to improve immunotherapy outcomes. Recent studies have shown that combining different treatment methods can help prevent tumors from developing resistance. Researchers believe this multi-targeted approach may significantly improve long-term cancer survival rates.