A team of researchers has uncovered a surprising new player in the body’s immune response to cancer: the serotonin transporter (SERT). Traditionally known for regulating serotonin levels in the brain and associated with mood and behavioral functions, SERT has now been identified as a contributor to immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment.
According to the study, the expression of SERT is significantly increased in certain immune cells within the tumor. This induction appears to interfere with the ability of T cells — critical components of the body’s immune defense — to mount an effective response against cancer cells. By acting as a form of immune checkpoint, SERT limits the activation and persistence of antitumor T cell activity.
Immune checkpoints like PD-1 and CTLA-4 have already been harnessed in successful cancer treatments, revolutionizing the field of immunotherapy. The discovery of SERT’s role in immune regulation suggests it could be targeted similarly to unlock new therapeutic strategies, particularly for cancers that are resistant to current treatments.
The study emphasizes the broader need to explore non-traditional molecules that influence immune function. By extending immunological research beyond known immune-centric pathways, scientists may develop next-generation immunotherapies capable of overcoming existing limitations.
Further investigation will be necessary to translate these findings into clinical applications. Researchers are now exploring how SERT inhibitors — commonly used as antidepressants — might be repurposed or modified to enhance immune responses against tumors.
This discovery represents a promising advance in oncology, highlighting the complex interplay between neurotransmitters and immune regulation, and suggesting new directions for enhancing cancer treatment efficacy.
Source: https:// – Courtesy of the original publisher.
