Wael ElShamy, Ph.D. publishes on the immunosuppressive microenvironment in BRCA1-IRIS-overexpressing TNBC tumors is induced by bidirectional interaction with tumor-associated macrophages

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) promote the progression of what is considered to be one of the most aggressive types of breast cancers—triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). In a recent study, Dr. ElShamy reports that the overexpression of a protein called IRIS in TNBC cells leads to the recruitment of macrophages to IRIS over expressing cells and modifies them to become pro-tumor M2 type TAMs. The interaction between IRIS overexpressing cells and M2 TAMs induces an immune suppressive microenvironment within TNBC tumors. This microenvironment favors the generation of TNBC metastatic precursors that evade the immune system. Dr. ElShamy’s findings suggests that inhibiting this interaction may inhibit disease progression and enhance patients’ overall survival.