title: Interferon α interferes with immunological tolerance.
abstract: The ability of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to promote immunological tolerance represents an important obstacle in cancer immunotherapy. We have recently discovered that the clinically established immunotherapeutic agent interferon α (IFNα) inactivates the suppressive functions of human Tregs. Here, we outline the mechanisms whereby IFNα mediates this important function and discuss its therapeutic implications for cancer immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology; University Medical Center; Johannes Gutenberg-University; Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology; University Medical Center; Johannes Gutenberg-University; Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bopp
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology; University Medical Center; Johannes Gutenberg-University; Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steinbrink
keywords: IFN-alpha; NK cells; PDE; cAMP; cancer; regulatory T cells; tolerance