Boosting the Potential of Checkpoint Inhibitors

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Beta blockers, which are commonly used to treat hypertension, may be repurposed to improve the efficacy of anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade in cancer patients, according to a recent study published in Cancer Research. The findings may explain, in part, why the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors in controlling cancerous tumors often is short-lived.

The study showed that beta-2 adrenergic receptors (β-AR) control the functionality of key immune cells and in response to stressors, these receptors turn on the “flight or fight” response. The investigators employed three strategies (physiologic, pharmacologic, and genetic) to reduce adrenergic stress signaling in two widely studied preclinical mouse tumor models. They found that reducing β-AR signaling facilitated conversion of tumors to an immunologically active tumor microenvironment. Reducing β-AR signaling led to increased intratumoral frequency of CD8+ T cells with an effector phenotype. It also decreased expression of PD-1.

http://www.oncotherapynetwork.com/news/ ... inhibitors

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Use exercise verses meds ?

Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-life ... t-20044469