Amyloid Beta and the Immune System: Repurposing Neurodegenerative Pathways for Cancer Immunotherapy

Abstract

Amyloid beta (Aβ), which was previously recognized predominantly for its neurotoxic properties in Alzheimer's disease, is now being acknowledged for its unforeseen potential to inhibit oncogenic proliferation. Recent research indicates that Aβ can enhance tumor antigen presentation and invigorate the activity of innate immune cells. This observation aligns with the established inverse relationship between neurodegeneration and cancer, which modifies the tumor microenvironment in an anti-cancer manner. Antitumor immunity is amplified through Aβ-induced microglial activation and cytokine production, which emulates the modulation of immunological checkpoints. These findings contribute to the development of innovative immunotherapeutic strategies that modulate neuroinflammatory signals and peptides derived from Aβ. Researchers are integrating the fields of oncology and neurology to precisely target cancer treatment by harnessing Aβ's immune-enhancing attributes while ensuring neuroprotection. This presents novel avenues for repurposing neurodegenerative pathways in the pursuit of precision cancer therapy.