Regulatory T (Treg) cells in cancer: Can Treg cells be a new therapeutic target? 2019

Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute/Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC), National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan.

Regulatory T (Treg) cells suppress abnormal/excessive immune responses to self- and nonself-antigens to maintain immune homeostasis. In tumor immunity, Treg cells are involved in tumor development and progression by inhibiting antitumor immunity. There are several Treg cell immune suppressive mechanisms: inhibition of costimulatory signals by CD80 and CD86 expressed by dendritic cells through cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4, interleukin (IL)-2 consumption by high-affinity IL-2 receptors with high CD25 (IL-2 receptor α-chain) expression, secretion of inhibitory cytokines, metabolic modulation of tryptophan and adenosine, and direct killing of effector T cells. Infiltration of Treg cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME) occurs in multiple murine and human tumors. Regulatory T cells are chemoattracted to the TME by chemokine gradients such as CCR4-CCL17/22, CCR8-CCL1, CCR10-CCL28, and CXCR3-CCL9/10/11. Regulatory T cells are then activated and inhibit antitumor immune responses. A high infiltration by Treg cells is associated with poor survival in various types of cancer. Therefore, strategies to deplete Treg cells and control of Treg cell functions to increase antitumor immune responses are urgently required in the cancer immunotherapy field. Various molecules that are highly expressed by Treg cells, such as immune checkpoint molecules, chemokine receptors, and metabolites, have been targeted by Abs or small molecules, but additional strategies are needed to fine-tune and optimize for augmenting antitumor effects restricted in the TME while avoiding systemic autoimmunity. Here, we provide a brief synopsis of these cells in cancer and how they can be controlled to achieve therapeutic outcomes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007167 Immunotherapy Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. It includes both active and passive immunization as well as immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection. Immunotherapies
D007376 Interleukin-2 A soluble substance elaborated by antigen- or mitogen-stimulated T-LYMPHOCYTES which induces DNA synthesis in naive lymphocytes. IL-2,Lymphocyte Mitogenic Factor,T-Cell Growth Factor,TCGF,IL2,Interleukin II,Interleukine 2,RU 49637,RU-49637,Ro-23-6019,Ro-236019,T-Cell Stimulating Factor,Thymocyte Stimulating Factor,Interleukin 2,Mitogenic Factor, Lymphocyte,RU49637,Ro 23 6019,Ro 236019,Ro236019,T Cell Growth Factor,T Cell Stimulating Factor
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000074322 Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological Antineoplastic agents containing immunological agents (e.g. MAbs). These pharmacologic preparations inhibit or prevent the proliferation of NEOPLASMS. Antineoplastic MAbs,Antineoplastics, Monoclonal Antibodies,Antineoplastics, Monoclonal Antibody,MAbs, Antineoplastic,Monoclonal Antibodies, Antineoplastic,Antibodies Antineoplastics, Monoclonal,Antineoplastic Monoclonal Antibodies,Immunological Antineoplastic Agents,Monoclonal Antibodies Antineoplastics,Monoclonal Antibody Antineoplastics
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000970 Antineoplastic Agents Substances that inhibit or prevent the proliferation of NEOPLASMS. Anticancer Agent,Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Agent,Antineoplastic Drug,Antitumor Agent,Antitumor Drug,Cancer Chemotherapy Agent,Cancer Chemotherapy Drug,Anticancer Agents,Antineoplastic Drugs,Antineoplastics,Antitumor Agents,Antitumor Drugs,Cancer Chemotherapy Agents,Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs,Chemotherapeutic Anticancer Agents,Chemotherapeutic Anticancer Drug,Agent, Anticancer,Agent, Antineoplastic,Agent, Antitumor,Agent, Cancer Chemotherapy,Agents, Anticancer,Agents, Antineoplastic,Agents, Antitumor,Agents, Cancer Chemotherapy,Agents, Chemotherapeutic Anticancer,Chemotherapy Agent, Cancer,Chemotherapy Agents, Cancer,Chemotherapy Drug, Cancer,Chemotherapy Drugs, Cancer,Drug, Antineoplastic,Drug, Antitumor,Drug, Cancer Chemotherapy,Drug, Chemotherapeutic Anticancer,Drugs, Antineoplastic,Drugs, Antitumor,Drugs, Cancer Chemotherapy
D016207 Cytokines Non-antibody proteins secreted by inflammatory leukocytes and some non-leukocytic cells, that act as intercellular mediators. They differ from classical hormones in that they are produced by a number of tissue or cell types rather than by specialized glands. They generally act locally in a paracrine or autocrine rather than endocrine manner. Cytokine
D047428 Protein Kinase Inhibitors Agents that inhibit PROTEIN KINASES. Protein Kinase Inhibitor,Inhibitor, Protein Kinase,Inhibitors, Protein Kinase,Kinase Inhibitor, Protein,Kinase Inhibitors, Protein
D050378 T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory CD4-positive T cells that inhibit immunopathology or autoimmune disease in vivo. They inhibit the immune response by influencing the activity of other cell types. Regulatory T-cells include naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ cells, IL-10 secreting Tr1 cells, and Th3 cells. Regulatory T Cell,Regulatory T-Cell,Regulatory T-Lymphocyte,Regulatory T-Lymphocytes,Suppressor T-Lymphocytes, Naturally-Occurring,T-Cells, Regulatory,Th3 Cells,Tr1 Cell,Treg Cell,Regulatory T-Cells,Suppressor T-Cells, Naturally-Occurring,Tr1 Cells,Treg Cells,Cell, Regulatory T,Cell, Th3,Cell, Tr1,Cell, Treg,Cells, Regulatory T,Cells, Th3,Cells, Tr1,Cells, Treg,Naturally-Occurring Suppressor T-Cell,Naturally-Occurring Suppressor T-Cells,Naturally-Occurring Suppressor T-Lymphocyte,Naturally-Occurring Suppressor T-Lymphocytes,Regulatory T Cells,Regulatory T Lymphocyte,Regulatory T Lymphocytes,Suppressor T Cells, Naturally Occurring,Suppressor T Lymphocytes, Naturally Occurring,Suppressor T-Cell, Naturally-Occurring,Suppressor T-Lymphocyte, Naturally-Occurring,T Cell, Regulatory,T Cells, Regulatory,T Lymphocytes, Regulatory,T-Cell, Naturally-Occurring Suppressor,T-Cells, Naturally-Occurring Suppressor,T-Lymphocyte, Regulatory,Th3 Cell

Related Publications

Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
November 2008, European journal of immunology,
Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
August 2018, Acta pharmacologica Sinica,
Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
January 2015, Immunotherapy,
Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
January 2020, International immunopharmacology,
Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
September 2022, Biochimica et biophysica acta. Reviews on cancer,
Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
May 2006, Biochemical and biophysical research communications,
Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
July 2022, International immunopharmacology,
Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
January 2014, Critical reviews in immunology,
Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
January 2009, Joint bone spine,
Yoshihiro Ohue, and Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
June 2008, Expert opinion on therapeutic targets,
Copied contents to your clipboard!