# Protein That Fuels Cancer Can Be Reprogrammed to Fight It, Scientists Find

> Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered a new method to re-engineer the protein PPARD, typically linked to cancer growth, to enhance immune cells' ability to destroy tumors.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-17T13:16:59.882285Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/protein-that-fuels-cancer-can-be-reprogrammed-to-fight-it-scientists-find-3f548f96

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), led by Assistant Professor Semir Beyaz, published findings on October 14, 2026, detailing a new method to re-engineer the protein peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD) to strengthen immune cell attacks against various cancers [1][2][4][5]. This discovery could offer new treatment strategies for aggressive cancers like colorectal cancer, which often resist conventional therapies [4][9][11].

## What the records show

The research, published in *Nature Immunology*, centers on PPARD, a protein previously associated with fueling cancer growth [2][6]. Beyaz's team found that activating PPARD within immune cells dramatically alters the tumor microenvironment, shifting it towards an anti-cancer response [4][12]. This metabolic reprogramming allows immune cells to process fats more efficiently for energy, boosting their capacity to combat tumors [4][9]. Beyaz explained that "What cells eat affects who they are. When immune cells burn more fat, they become more fit for fighting cancer" [4][12].

The team's initial experiments involved mice with colorectal cancer [4][9]. They then tested PPARD-activated CAR T cells, a type of engineered immune cell, against human colorectal cancer models [3][4]. These models included organoids, miniature tumors grown from patient tissue samples, lab-grown human cancer cells, and human cancer cells implanted into mice [4][9][12]. In all these laboratory settings, the PPARD-activated CAR T cells demonstrated a significant ability to slow or stop tumor growth [4][12].

The approach showed promise against a range of cancers, including colorectal, breast, ovarian cancers, and melanoma [1][4][8]. Researchers focused on colorectal cancer because it has become a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among individuals under 50 and often resists current treatments [4][9][11].

## The timeline

Previous research in March 2019 highlighted PPARD's role in promoting colorectal cancer progression [6]. Studies as recent as June 2024 explored PPARD inhibitors for therapeutic purposes [7]. This new discovery, published on October 14, 2026, presents a different strategy by leveraging the protein's potential within the immune system itself [2][4][5].

## What changed and for whom

This research represents a shift in understanding PPARD's role, from solely being a promoter of disease in cancer cells to becoming a potent anti-cancer force when activated in immune cells [4][12]. This paradigm shift could eventually benefit patients with difficult-to-treat cancers for which current immunotherapies are ineffective [4][8]. Beyaz likened PPARD's dual nature to "the force" in *Star Wars*, capable of promoting disease or fighting it, depending on its activation [12]. The CSHL laboratory is also investigating whether enhancing immune cell metabolic activity using this principle could help treat endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease [4][8][12][13].

## What we could not confirm

This method has not yet been tested in human patients. Its clinical effectiveness requires further assessment through future studies [4].

## Evidence cited
1. A protein that fuels cancer could also be the key to fighting it (www.sciencedaily.com) — https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/10/261015073203.htm
2. (October 16 2026) A recent discovery from scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) sheds new light on the dual role of a well-known protein, suggesting its potential as a novel weapon in the fight against cancer. This protein, known as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD), has traditionally been linked to cancer growth but may also enhance the effectiveness of immune cells in attacking tumors.
This research, detailed in the journal Nature Immunology, highlights its  (ssbcrack.com) — https://ssbcrack.com/
3. (October 17 2026) Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that activating the PPARD protein in immune cells may enhance their ability to attack tumors. As ScienceDaily reports, in laboratory experiments, activated PPARD helped modified CAR T cells slow or stop tumor growth in colorectal cancer models. The results were published in the journal Nature Immunology. (ua.news) — https://ua.news/
4. (October 15 2026) The hidden force behind cancer and immune cell fitness (cshl.edu) — https://www.cshl.edu/news/the-hidden-force-behind-cancer-and-immune-cell-fitness/
5. (October 15 2026) On October 14, 2026, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers published findings in Nature Immunology showing that activating PPARD in CAR-T cells boosts their ability to kill colorectal cancer organoids by improving metabolic fitness. (civl.com) — https://civl.com/
6. (March 01 2019) PPAR-Delta Promotes Colorectal Cancer Progression (aacrjournals.org) — https://www.aacrjournals.org/clincancerres/article/25/5/1594/70975/PPAR-Delta-Promotes-Colorectal-Cancer-Progression
7. (June 25 2024) PPAR-delta Inhibitors: A Promising Avenue for Therapeutic Interventions (patsnap.com) — https://www.patsnap.com/blog/ppar-delta-inhibitors-a-promising-avenue-for-therapeutic-interventions
8. (October 14 2026) A fat-burning switch that turns immune cells into cancer killers (bioengineer.org) — https://bioengineer.org/2026/10/14/a-fat-burning-switch-that-turns-immune-cells-into-cancer-killers/
9. (October 15 2026) A Protein That Fuels Cancer Could Also Be the Key to Fighting It (technologynetworks.com) — https://technologynetworks.com/immunology/news/a-protein-that-fuels-cancer-could-also-be-the-key-to-fighting-it-395159
10. nature immunology (springernature.com) — https://www.springernature.com/nature-portfolio/journals/nature-immunology
11. (October 16 2026) ... Kolorektal kanser (kolon ve rektum kanseri), 50 yaş altındaki yetişkinlerde kansere bağlı ölümlerin önde gelen nedeni haline geldi. Kemoterapi ve mevcut immünoterapi seçeneklerinin yetersiz kaldığı dirençli vakalarda yeni stratejilere ihtiyaç duyuluyor. Bu araştırma, bağışıklık hücrelerinin enerji metabolizmasını değiştirerek tedavi etkinliğini artırma fikrini öne sürüyor. PPARD proteini aktifleşmiş bağışıklık hücreleri kolon kanseri tümörünü yok ediyor. Sık Sorulan Sorular (kanserliyiz.com) — https://kanserliyiz.com/kanser-tedavisinde-yeni-umut-ppard-proteini-immuno-savasi-guclendiriyor/
12. (October 14 2026) Fat-burning switch could transform immune cells into cancer killers (news-medical.net) — https://news-medical.net/news/20261014/Fat-burning-switch-could-transform-immune-cells-into-cancer-killers.aspx
13. (October 01 2024) Seckin Endometriosis Research Center for Women’s Health opens at CSHL (cshl.edu) — https://www.cshl.edu/news/seckin-endometriosis-research-center/