title: The dark side of cyclophosphamide: cyclophosphamide-mediated ablation of regulatory T cells.
abstract: Cancer immune escape is frequently associated with the induction of an inappropriate immune response, i.e., a response that does not inhibit but perhaps even promotes the tumor. Indeed, increased frequencies of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) are associated with an impaired prognosis in several cancers. Thus, depletion of Tregs, e.g., by cyclophosphamide, was proposed as a means to boost immune responses to cancer. In the present issue of the Journal, Sevko et al., however, provide evidence that cyclophosphamide exerted the unexpected effect of induction of myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. juergen.becker@medunigraz.at
authors.forename: Jürgen C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schrama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003520:Cyclophosphamide