Tumor-specific T-cell memory: clearing the regulatory T-cell hurdle.
Antitumor immune responses can be stimulated by interfering with regulatory T-cell (T(reg)) function. However, this effect is short lived unless T-cell memory to tumor antigens can be generated. Our recent studies show that T(reg) cells not only limit primary responses to tumor/self-antigens in tumor-bearing hosts but also prevent the natural generation of T-cell memory to such antigens. Here, we discuss the role of T(reg) cells in suppressing T-cell memory after surgical excision of tumors and the potential clinical benefits of overcoming this suppression.
Côté
Anik L
AL
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756, USA.
Usherwood
Edward J
EJ
Turk
Mary Jo
MJ
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm