Researchers identify DDX6 RNA helicase as mechanism for cancer immune evasion

Researchers at the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore), part of the National University of Singapore, have identified a mechanism that allows cancer cells to evade the immune system. The study, published in Science Immunology, identifies the RNA helicase DDX6 as a ‘hidden switch’ that suppresses the detection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA).

Naturally occurring dsRNA acts as a warning signal to the innate immune system, similar to how the body responds to viral infections. However, the research led by Associate Professor Polly Chen found that DDX6 works in conjunction with the enzyme ADAR1 to suppress these signals. By reducing immune activation triggered by endogenous dsRNA, cancer cells can remain undetected by the body's defenses. Targeting DDX6 may allow for the development of more effective immunotherapies by making tumors more visible to the immune system.