Using signaling pathways to overcome immune tolerance to tumors.
The ability of tumors to evade the immune system is thought to result from the inability of T lymphocytes to recognize and respond to tumor antigens. This lack of T cell response may depend on a failure of dendritic cells to present antigen in the proper context so that T cells become tolerant to tumor antigens rather than primed to undergo an immune response. The inability of tumor-associated dendritic cells to effectively present antigen may in turn depend on inhibitory factors in the tumor milieu. Recent experiments suggest that the administration of toll-like receptor ligands stimulate dendritic cell activation and maturation and may thus help overcome T cell tolerance to tumor antigens. Whether or not such an approach is clinically feasible remains to be seen.
Engleman
Edgar G
EG
Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. edengleman@stanford.edu
Brody
Joshua
J
Soares
Luis
L
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000235:genetics*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm