2007 | Gabriel A. Rabinovich¹,³, Dmitry Gabrilovich², and Eduardo M. Sotomayor²
The article discusses immunosuppressive strategies used by tumors to evade immune responses, focusing on cancer immunoediting and tumor-immune escape. It outlines how tumors create a tolerant microenvironment, activate immunosuppressive mechanisms, and recruit regulatory cells to suppress immune responses. Key strategies include impaired antigen presentation, activation of negative costimulatory signals, secretion of immunosuppressive and pro-apoptotic factors, and the influence of regulatory T cells, NKT cells, and dendritic cells. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding these mechanisms to develop effective immunotherapies. It also highlights the role of tumor-induced antigen-specific T-cell tolerance, which can hinder immune responses against tumors. The mechanisms of tolerance include anergy, where T-cells become unresponsive, and the induction of regulatory T-cells. The article discusses the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the induction of tolerance, including the role of antigen-presenting cells and the influence of signaling pathways such as Stat3. It also explores the role of immunosuppressive cytokines like TGF-β and IL-10 in tumor immune escape. The article concludes with the importance of targeting immunosuppressive pathways, such as PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4, to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms by which tumors evade immune responses and the potential strategies for overcoming these barriers in cancer immunotherapy.The article discusses immunosuppressive strategies used by tumors to evade immune responses, focusing on cancer immunoediting and tumor-immune escape. It outlines how tumors create a tolerant microenvironment, activate immunosuppressive mechanisms, and recruit regulatory cells to suppress immune responses. Key strategies include impaired antigen presentation, activation of negative costimulatory signals, secretion of immunosuppressive and pro-apoptotic factors, and the influence of regulatory T cells, NKT cells, and dendritic cells. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding these mechanisms to develop effective immunotherapies. It also highlights the role of tumor-induced antigen-specific T-cell tolerance, which can hinder immune responses against tumors. The mechanisms of tolerance include anergy, where T-cells become unresponsive, and the induction of regulatory T-cells. The article discusses the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the induction of tolerance, including the role of antigen-presenting cells and the influence of signaling pathways such as Stat3. It also explores the role of immunosuppressive cytokines like TGF-β and IL-10 in tumor immune escape. The article concludes with the importance of targeting immunosuppressive pathways, such as PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4, to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms by which tumors evade immune responses and the potential strategies for overcoming these barriers in cancer immunotherapy.