title: Minireview: Regulatory T Cells and Ovarian Cancer.
abstract: In the last 15 years, it has become apparent that ovarian cancer is recognized by the immune system, taking into account that T cell infiltration can be associated with increased overall survival. Several studies indicate that a correct combination of cluster of differentiation 8 and cluster of differentiation 4 T cells is key to fight tumor progression and that the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) infiltrating ovarian solid tumors (or present in ascites) is deleterious. Several markers that characterize Tregs include glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4, and forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3). Research has shown that Tregs can infiltrate cancerous tissue and contribute to tumor growth by secreting immunosuppressive cytokines such as transforming growth factor beta and interleukin (IL)-10. Importantly, these cells might hamper the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches, thus strategies involving depletion or regulation of this population have been proposed and tested in experimental models. In this Minireview, we will discuss the relevance of Tregs in ovarian cancer and the experimental approaches destined to impair their immunosuppressive effects.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Molecular and Cell Biology Program , Ohio University , Athens , OH , USA.
authors.forename: Manindra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biomedical Sciences , Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University , Athens , OH , USA.
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Loftus
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biomedical Sciences , Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University , Athens , OH , USA.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Molecular and Cell Biology Program , Ohio University , Athens , OH , USA.|b Department of Biomedical Sciences , Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University , Athens , OH , USA.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benencia
mesh_terms: D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C508609:IL10 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10
keywords: Ascites; immunotherapy; ovarian cancer; regulatory T cells