Regulatory T cells in cancer immunotherapy

Curr Opin Immunol. 2014 Apr:27:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2013.12.005. Epub 2014 Jan 14.

Abstract

FOXP3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells, crucial for the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance, are abundant in tumors. Most of them are chemo-attracted to tumor tissues, expanding locally and differentiating into a Treg-cell subpopulation that strongly suppresses the activation and expansion of tumor-antigen-specific effector T cells. Several cancer immunotherapies targeting FOXP3(+)CD4(+) Treg cells, including depletion of Treg cells, are currently being tested in the clinic. In addition, clinical benefit of immune-checkpoint blockade, such as anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody therapy, could be attributed at least in part to depletion of FOXP3(+)CD4(+) Treg cells from tumor tissues. Thus, optimal strategies need to be established for reducing Treg cells or attenuating their suppressive activity in tumor tissues, together with activating and expanding tumor-specific effector T cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm