Metastasis-promoting immunity: when T cells turn to the dark side

Cancer Cell. 2009 Aug 4;16(2):81-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2009.07.007.

Abstract

While the role of endogenous T cells in antitumor immunity is being debated, little is known about whether and how T cells promote tumorigenesis. In this issue of Cancer Cell, DeNardo and colleagues demonstrate that IL-4-producing T cells enhance metastasis by programming macrophages to produce factors that enhance tumor invasion.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-4 / physiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / physiology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Models, Immunological
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Interleukin-4