Glioblastoma-derived mechanisms of systemic immunosuppression

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2010 Jan;21(1):31-42. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2009.08.005.

Abstract

Abnormalities of cellular immunity are commonly seen in patients with glioblastoma (GBM), and the subsequent relative immunosuppression likely contributes to poor tumor-specific responses in affected individuals. Endogenous immune regulation is likely to limit the efficacy of a wide array of immunotherapeutic strategies, therefore mandating consideration in the continued development of novel treatments for GBM. Various tumor-associated factors have been implicated as potential generators of the immunosuppressive effect. This article outlines relevant experimentation exploring the nature of immune defects in patients with GBM, including a critical discussion of tumor-secreted factors, cell-surface proteins, and more recently described populations of immunoregulatory leukocytes that have potential roles in the subversion of cellular immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Glioblastoma / immunology*
  • Glioblastoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance* / genetics
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunotherapy
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex / immunology
  • Oncogenes
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Escape