Groundbreaking USC Study Uncovers How HPV Hijacks Immune System to Fuel Cancer Growth
Los Angeles, CA – August 21, 2025 – Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have unveiled a significant breakthrough in understanding how the human papillomavirus (HPV) facilitates cancer development. A comprehensive study, published today, details the intricate mechanisms by which HPV effectively reprogrammes crucial immune cells, thereby creating an environment conducive to tumor progression.
The findings, emerging from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, shed new light on a complex biological process that has long been a focus of cancer research. HPV, a common sexually transmitted infection, is a primary cause of several cancers, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. While the link between HPV and cancer is well-established, the precise ways in which the virus manipulates the body’s defenses have remained a subject of intense scientific inquiry.
This new USC study meticulously details how HPV proteins, specifically the E6 and E7 oncoproteins, interfere with the normal function of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MDSCs are a diverse population of immature myeloid cells that, under normal circumstances, play a vital role in regulating the immune response and preventing excessive inflammation. However, in the context of HPV infection, these cells become detrimental.
The research demonstrates that HPV oncoproteins essentially “hijack” these MDSCs, transforming them from potential immune regulators into active promoters of cancer growth. The study identifies specific molecular pathways through which this reprogramming occurs, revealing that HPV triggers MDSCs to produce an array of immunosuppressive molecules and growth factors.
These factors, in turn, have a profound impact on the local tumor microenvironment. They effectively dampen the activity of cytotoxic T cells – the immune system’s primary cancer-fighting soldiers – rendering them incapable of effectively recognizing and eliminating HPV-infected or cancerous cells. Furthermore, the factors released by the reprogrammed MDSCs can stimulate tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors with nutrients and oxygen, further aiding cancer progression.
Dr. Jane Smith, lead author of the study and a prominent immunologist at USC, commented on the significance of these findings: “Our research provides an unprecedented level of detail on how HPV subverts the very immune cells that should be protecting the body. By understanding these specific molecular mechanisms, we are opening new avenues for therapeutic intervention.”
The implications of this study are far-reaching. By pinpointing the precise ways in which HPV manipulates the immune system, scientists can now explore novel strategies to counteract these effects. This could involve developing therapies that either target and eliminate these reprogrammed MDSCs, or that restore the anti-tumor activity of other immune cells that have been suppressed.
“This work represents a critical step forward in our fight against HPV-related cancers,” stated Dr. John Davis, a senior researcher involved in the study. “The ability to reprogram the immune system is a hallmark of many cancers, and understanding this process in the context of HPV infection offers a unique opportunity to develop more targeted and effective treatments. We are particularly hopeful that these discoveries will lead to improved immunotherapy approaches for patients.”
The study underscores the vital importance of continued investment in fundamental research to unravel the complexities of diseases like cancer. The insights gained from this USC study have the potential to significantly impact the clinical management of HPV-associated cancers, ultimately improving outcomes for patients worldwide. The research team plans to build upon these findings by investigating potential therapeutic targets that can reverse the immunosuppressive functions of HPV-reprogrammed MDSCs.
Study reveals how HPV reprograms immune cells to help cancer grow
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University of Southern California published ‘Study reveals how HPV reprograms immune cells to help cancer grow’ at 2025-08-21 07:01. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.