Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have discovered that using light to control the appetite of immune cells known as macrophages can increase their effectiveness in combatting cancer. By activating these cells with light and triggering their Fc receptors at will, the researchers found that the macrophages consumed more cancer cells after being stimulated. This new approach offers a novel way to enhance cancer immunotherapies that use macrophages. The study also sheds light on the concept of trained immunity in the innate immune system and highlights the complex decision-making abilities of macrophages in responding to threats.
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Study reveals how light-activated macrophages increase their appetite for cancer cells
