A year of Cancer research at IPBS
As part of the Pink October campaign, which promotes awareness of breast cancer prevention, we are showcasing a few highlights among the many advances made this year by researchers at the Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology in the fight against cancer.
Making Immunotherapy More Effective
Jean-Philippe Girard’s team (Cell Reports Medicine, 2025) uncovered a new way to help the immune system attack tumors.
They showed that modifying anti-CTLA-4 antibodies can remodel tumor blood vessels, making it easier for immune cells to enter the tumor. These “Fc-optimized” antibodies increase the number of special blood vessels called high endothelial venules (HEVs), which act as gateways for T cells. This discovery could help turn “cold” tumors—those resistant to immunotherapy—into “hot” ones that respond better to treatment.
Unraveling How Cells Repair Broken DNA
Sébastien Britton’s group (Nature Communications, 2025) made important progress in understanding how cells repair dangerous DNA breaks.
Using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy, they revealed how key enzymes, DNA polymerases λ and μ, interact with DNA repair proteins. Their findings clarify how cells maintain genome integrity and survive DNA damage—a process often hijacked or defective in cancer cells.
Rethinking Cell Movement and Flexibility
Renaud Poincloux’s lab (EMBO Journal, 2024) challenged long-held assumptions about how cells move.
They discovered that immune cells called macrophages can migrate and change shape even without a family of proteins (ERMs) thought to be essential for this process. This unexpected result suggests that macrophages have evolved unique ways to remain highly adaptable—an ability that may influence how immune cells infiltrate and fight tumors.
Tracing the Evolution of a Cancer-Linked Enzyme
Priyanka Sharma’s team (iScience, 2024) explored the evolution and function of an enzyme called PADI2, known to regulate genes linked to cancer growth.
By comparing PADI2 across species and mapping its structure, they identified specific amino acids that are crucial for its interaction with other proteins controlling oncogenes such as c-MYC. These insights may open new paths for targeting the PADI2–c-MYC axis in cancer therapy.
Towards Painless Cancer Treatments
Marie-Pierre Rols’ laboratory (Journal of Controlled Release, 2024) developed a promising new approach to make electrochemotherapy—a cancer treatment combining electric pulses and chemotherapy—less painful.
By using high-frequency, ultra-short electrical pulses, her team achieved the same cancer-killing effect as the standard method, but without causing painful muscle contractions. Early tests in animals confirmed its effectiveness and comfort, paving the way for a new generation of patient-friendly electrochemotherapy protocols.
In Summary
From uncovering how tumors can be made more sensitive to immunotherapy to developing gentler cancer treatments, IPBS scientists are pushing the boundaries of cancer research. Their discoveries help us better understand the disease—and bring us closer to more effective and humane treatments for patients.
Our research against cancer is proudly supported by CNRS, Inserm, the University of Toulouse, ANR, Ligue contre le Cancer, Fondation ARC, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, INCa, Cancéropole Grand Sud-Ouest, Région Occitanie, Plan Cancer, Fondation Bristol Myers Squibb, Fondation Toulouse Cancer Santé, and several associations including those dedicated to prostate cancer and obesity research.
We are deeply grateful to all our funders, donors, patients, and their families for their unwavering support. Together, we are advancing science and hope for a world without cancer.