The expression, function, and clinical relevance of B7 family members in cancer.
The modulation and suppression of anti-tumor immune responses is a characteristic feature of tumor cells to escape immune surveillance. Members of the B7 family are involved in this process, since the level of activation of the anti-tumor immune response depends on the balance between co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory signals. Some molecules are often overexpressed in tumors, which has been associated with the pathogenesis and progression of malignancies as well as their immunological and non-immunological functions. The B7 homologs play a key role in the maintenance of self-tolerance and the regulation of both innate and adaptive immunity in tumor-bearing hosts. Furthermore, the blockade of negative signals mediated by the interaction of co-inhibitory ligands and counter-receptors of the B7 family is currently being studied as a potential immunotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer in humans.
Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Strasse 2, Halle (Saale), Germany. barbara.seliger@uk-halle.de
Barbara
B
Seliger
Dagmar
D
Quandt
D000818:Animals; D060887:B7 Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D060887:B7 Antigens