Jerusalem — August 27, 2025
A team of international researchers has discovered a powerful new method to enhance the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. By blocking a single protein called Ant2, scientists were able to reprogram T cells—key immune cells—making them significantly more effective at attacking tumors.
The study, led by PhD student Omri Yosef and Prof. Michael Berger at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, involved collaborators from Philipps University of Marburg and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Their research revealed that altering how T cells generate and manage energy boosts their strength, endurance, and precision in targeting cancer cells.
“By disabling Ant2, we touched off a complete shift in how T cells produce and use energy,” explained Prof. Berger. “This reprogramming made them significantly more at feting and killing cancer cells.”
Published in Nature Dispatches, the study focused on mitochondria—the energy centers of cells. By disrupting a specific metabolic pathway, the team essentially rewired the cells’ internal machinery, increasing their readiness and replication speed. Importantly, this transformation can be triggered not only through genetic changes but also with drugs, making it a promising avenue for future treatments.
“By learning how to control the power source of our vulnerable cells, we may be suitable to unleash curatives that are both more natural and more effective,” added Prof. Berger.
