Ancient herb revives immune cells to fight leukemia
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Researchers at Guizhou Medical University in China discovered that gastrodin, a compound from the orchid Gastrodia elata, boosted immune function in mice with erythroleukemia, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. The team investigated how the disease weakens the immune system, specifically impacting T cells, which are crucial for fighting off illness and cancer. They found that erythroleukemia causes T cells to become unresponsive, and the spleen, a key immune organ, becomes enlarged and damaged.
The researchers then tested gastrodin on the mice and observed a reduction in spleen size and a slowing of cancer progression. Importantly, gastrodin revived the T cells, enabling them to multiply and release chemical messengers that coordinate immune responses. Further investigation revealed that gastrodin reactivated a critical signaling pathway within the T cells, the T cell receptor signaling pathway, which had been suppressed by the leukemia.
The study also identified a potential interaction between gastrodin and a protein called Fli-1, known to play a role in erythroleukemia. While the exact nature of this interaction requires further study, it suggests gastrodin may be rewiring the immune environment within the leukemia. Because gastrodin has a history of safe use in traditional Chinese medicine, researchers believe it could be a promising candidate for immunotherapy in humans, potentially complementing existing cancer treatments.
