Why some immune treatments may not work well in glioblastoma
Original title: C1q from C1q+ tumor-associated myeloid cells promotes resistance to T-cell engagers and CAR T-cells and is induced by LIF and glucocorticoids
How far along is this research?
This is a preprint. Other scientists have not checked it yet, so treat it as an early signal rather than an answer.
This was done with tumor tissue in the lab and in mice, not tested in people.
The short version
Scientists found one reason why some immune treatments may struggle against glioblastoma: A glioma that is given grade 4, the highest grade. It grows fast. Treatment usually starts soon after it is found. It often means surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary.
What was studied. Researchers looked at a protein called C1q in glioblastoma: A glioma that is given grade 4, the highest grade. It grows fast. Treatment usually starts soon after it is found. It often means surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary, a very aggressive brain tumor. They used tumor tissue from 19 patients, grown in the lab, and tested ideas in mice.
What they found. Some immune cells inside the tumor make C1q. C1q seems to weaken the body's T cells, which help fight the tumor. It also made two types of immune treatment, CAR T cells and T-cell engagers, work less well. Removing C1q in mice helped these treatments fight the tumor better. A signal called LIF, along with steroid drugs, turned C1q on. Blocking LIF lowered the number of these C1q cells. Tumors with high C1q were linked to a worse outlook.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: This gives scientists a new target to study. Someday, blocking C1q or LIF might help immune treatments work better for glioblastoma: A glioma that is given grade 4, the highest grade. It grows fast. Treatment usually starts soon after it is found. It often means surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary. It also raises questions about how steroid drugs affect these treatments.
What it doesn't mean: This is early lab and mouse research. It has not been tested as a treatment in people. It does not mean you should stop or change any steroid drug. Talk with your care team first. This is not a new treatment you can get, and it is not a cure.
Source: bioRxiv (preprint), September 17, 2026 · Read the original
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