Researchers from IRB Barcelona, based at the Barcelona Science Park, in collaboration with the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), have discovered a new immunotherapy strategy that reduces cancer recurrence in experimental mouse models. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, are particularly significant because most current therapies focus on boosting the activity of existing T lymphocytes, but not on generating new memory responses. This new approach could have important applications in preventing metastasis.

The study shows that a specific subtype of immune cells, type I dendritic cells, is particularly effective at activating a strong immune response and generating immune memory against cancer. Dendritic cells act as sentinels of the immune system, responsible for presenting tumor antigens to T lymphocytes and triggering the response against malignant cells. However, there are several subtypes of dendritic cells, and until now, it had not been clearly determined which one is most efficient at generating a sustained and protective response against tumors.

First author Ignacio Heras-Murillo, from CNIC, explains: “The finding is important because most current therapies focus on enhancing the immune response that is already in place. In contrast, this dendritic cell-based immunotherapy aims to induce a new, specific immune response against the tumor.”

Describing the strategy, study co-supervisor Dr. Stefanie Wculek, formerly at the CNIC and now at IRB Barcelona, explains that dendritic cells are extracted from the cancer-bearing mouse, loaded in the lab with tumor-derived antigens, and then reintroduced into the animal to activate specific T lymphocytes. The results show that type I dendritic cells not only trigger an immediate response against the primary tumor but also induce long-lasting immune memory capable of preventing tumor relapse.

CNIC scientist Dr. David Sancho, who led the study, adds that immunotherapy with type I dendritic cells presenting the tumor antigen triggers an immune memory response that prevents the growth of a second, similar tumor. In other words, the treatment helps prevent relapse in the mouse models. Further studies will be needed to assess the potential of this approach for preventing metastasis and its possible synergy with other antitumor therapies.

The study was supported with funding from the CNIC, the Spanish Ministry of Science de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU), the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR, the Comunidad de Madrid, the “la Caixa” Foundation, the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer, and Worldwide Cancer Research (25-0080).

» Reference article: Immunotherapy with conventional type-1 dendritic cells induces immune memory and limits tumor relapse. Heras-Murillo I, Mañanes D, Munné P, Núñez V, Herrera J, Catalá-Montoro M, Alvarez M, Del Pozo MA, Melero I, Wculek SK, Sancho D. Nature Communications 2025 Apr 9;16(1):3369. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-58289-1. PMID: 40204706.

» Link to the news: IRB Barcelona website [+]