title: The Treg/Th17 paradigm in lung cancer.
abstract: Pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of lung cancer are very complex and not yet entirely clarified. T lymphocytes and their immune-regulatory cytokines play a pivotal role in controlling tumor growth and metastasis. Following activation by unique cytokines, CD4+ T helper cells differentiate into Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Traditionally, research in lung cancer immunity has focused almost exclusively on Th1/Th2 cell balance. Recently, Th17 cells and Tregs represent an intriguing issue to be addressed in lung cancer pathogenesis. Tregs play an important role in the preservation of self-tolerance and modulation of overall immune responses against tumor cells. Th17 cells directly or via other proinflammatory cytokines modulate antitumor immune responses. Notably, there is a close relation between Tregs and Th17 cells. However, the possible interaction between these subsets in lung cancer remains to be elucidated. In this setting, targeting Treg/Th17 balance for therapeutic purposes may represent a useful tool for lung cancer treatment in the future. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent findings of the role of these novel populations in lung cancer immunity and to highlight the pleiotropic effects of these subsets on the development and regulation of lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Eighth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, Guangxi 530001, China.
authors.forename: Min-Chao
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ning
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China.
authors.forename: Guang-Nan
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, Guangxi 530022, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Ru
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines