Neoplasms Bypass Immune Evasion via Hair Follicle Residence
TLDR Neoplasms hide in hair follicles to avoid the immune system.
The study investigated how neoplasms evade immune detection by residing in hair follicles, using a genetically-engineered mouse model of inducible, Kras-driven carcinogenesis. In immunocompetent mice, transformed cells persisted long-term in hair follicles, suggesting that the immune privilege of hair follicles creates a safe harbor for these cells. This spatially-defined equilibrium phase allows for both the elimination of some clones and the dormancy of others. The protective effect was lost when hair follicles exited the anagen phase, indicating that the hair follicle cycle might be a potent anti-tumor mechanism. The study concluded that targeting niche-protected neoplasms could be a viable strategy for cancer prevention.
