Reprogramming Microglia: A Promising Approach Against Melanoma Brain Metastases
Source: The Munich Eye, February 2025
Melanoma, recognized as the most aggressive form of skin cancer, poses significant risks when it metastasizes to the brain. Researchers at the Institute for Neurosciences, a collaboration between the Spanish National Research Council and Miguel Hernández University, have discovered a groundbreaking strategy aimed at mitigating the growth of these brain metastases, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of existing treatments.
The findings, published in Cancer Cell, reveal that microglia, which are the brain’s resident immune cells, can be reprogrammed to suppress the progression of brain metastases while also bolstering responses to immunotherapy in preclinical mouse models.
The research team, led by Berta Sánchez-Laorden, has identified a critical signaling pathway known as Rela/NF-kB. By blocking this pathway, the protumoral behavior of microglia can be reversed, shifting them toward a state that promotes anti-tumor immunity. The study indicates that this manipulation enables microglia to signal to other immune cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, thereby enhancing their ability to target and destroy tumor cells.