Viral mimikry can improve the immune response against glioblastomas

For the first time, the researchers searched cancer databases and documented associations between ZNF638 and immune -related factors such as infiltration in immune cells. They analyzed the genetic data of the GLOBLASTOM patients and found that patients who reacted more to the therapy of the immune checkpoint inhibitor naturally showed lower expressions of ZNF638 and higher survival rates. Cell-based experiments and single cell RNA sequencing showed that tumors with low ZNF638 tend to have more infiltration in the immune cells and the monitoring system for retrovirus was active. This ZNF638 antiviral connection was also observed in published patient data. It was possible that the Targeting of ZNF638 could create “viral mimicry conditions” in tumors.