Inducers of immunogenic cancer cell death

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2013 Aug;24(4):319-33. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2013.01.005. Epub 2013 Feb 5.

Abstract

Recently, cytokine-based pro-tumourigenic signalling has been found to play a major role in the immune system's pro-tumourigenic activity. On the other hand, other recent findings have shown that immunogenic cancer cell death triggered by certain anticancer modalities might reset the dysfunctional immune system towards the activation of a long-lasting protective anti-tumour response. Therefore, using inducers of immunogenic cell death (ICD) that can prevent or impede tumour-promoting cytokine signalling is one of the best ways of instigating or restoring efficient anti-tumour immunity. In this review it is discussed, how the different ICD inducers interact with the immune system and influence cytokine-based pro-tumourigenic signalling. We believe that it is crucial to discover or develop new anti-cancer therapeutic modalities that can induce ICD and impede tumour-promoting cytokine signalling.

Keywords: Anti-tumour immunity; Cancer; ICD inducers; Immunogenic cell death; Tumour immunology.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Death / immunology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Signal Transduction / immunology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cytokines