Inhibitors of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase for cancer therapy: can we see the wood for the trees?
Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an immunosuppressive enzyme capable of inhibiting a destructive maternal T cell response against allogeneic fetuses. Expression of IDO is evident in tumours and is thought to enable escape from immunologically mediated rejection. Consequently, clinical trials using an inhibitor of IDO, 1-methyltryptophan (1MT), have been initiated. However, a review of the current literature indicates that we are far from understanding the biological relevance of IDO expression during tumorigenesis. A better understanding of IDO biology is needed to comprehend the effect of IDO inhibitors and to provide a rationale for their therapeutic application in cancer.
Löb
Stefan
S
Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital of Tubingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, Tubingen, Germany.
Königsrainer
Alfred
A
Rammensee
Hans-Georg
HG
Opelz
Gerhard
G
Terness
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase