Researchers reviewed how the JAK-STAT signaling pathway affects the environment around breast cancer. The study found that when this pathway is active, it can create an immunosuppressive environment. This means it helps the cancer hide from the immune system. Specifically, the pathway was linked to higher levels of PD-L1, which is a protein that can block immune cells from attacking the tumor.
The research also found that the JAK-STAT pathway recruits and activates certain cells that suppress the immune system. It also promotes the growth of regulatory T cells. At the same time, it was linked to decreased function in CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, which are the primary cells responsible for fighting off cancer.
Because this review is a systematic summary of existing data, it is important to note that the findings are not yet used to change standard medical treatments. There are still challenges, such as a lack of specific markers to predict who would benefit from targeting this pathway. These findings suggest that targeting the JAK-STAT pathway could be a potential future strategy for breast cancer treatment.
