Tryptophan Promotes More Than Restful Sleep; May Help Fight Ovarian Cancer

BUFFALO, N.Y – Tryptophan has long been known for its role in producing serotonin, which promotes a good night’s sleep. But researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center are exploring a new mechanism for the amino acid, which supports the immune system’s efforts to fight cancer. Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, FRCOG, FACOG, who is Deputy Director, M. Steven Piver Professor and Chair of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Executive Director of the Center for Immunotherapy at Roswell Park, will present results from novel research on the role of tryptophan in tumor development at the Frontiers in Cancer Immunotherapy symposium, to be held Feb. 27–28 in New York City.

The two-day symposium, hosted by the New York Academy of Sciences, will explore emerging findings in basic science, translational research and clinical studies to improve immunotherapeutic approaches in cancer treatment.

In an oral presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m., Dr. Odunsi will discuss the tryptophan pathway and its contributions to the microenvironment in many types of cancer. Immune cells are highly dependent on tryptophan. Cancer cells use this weakness to their advantage by turning on an enzyme called indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase — IDO1 for short — that starves the immune cells of tryptophan, allowing cancer cells to escape from immune attack, reproduce and spread.

Early-stage clinical trials at Roswell Park are offering new insights on how the IDO1 pathway is an attractive target for immunotherapy in ovarian cancer. The first study is testing the impact of IDO1 inhibition in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients. A second study is examining whether inhibition of IDO1 would enhance the efficacy of NY-ESO-1 vaccination and lead to durable remission. The vaccine by itself has shown promise in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer.

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The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park is one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.