Chemotherapy and immunotherapy: A close interplay to fight cancer?
In theory, the immunotherapy of cancer should induce the selective destruction of cancer cells and a long-term specific protection, based on the specificity and memory of immunity. This contrasts with the collateral damages of conventional therapies and their toxic effects on host tissues. However, recent data suggest that chemotherapy may potentiate ongoing immune responses, through homeostatic mechanisms. Massive tumor death, empty "immune" niches and selected cytokines may act as a danger signal, alerting the immune system and amplifying pre-existing antitumor reactivity.
Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles , Brussels, Belgium.
Aurélie
A
Hanoteau
Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Université Libre de Bruxelles , Brussels, Belgium.
Muriel
M
Moser
Chemotherapy; IL-7/IL-15; drug efflux; homeostasis; immunotherapy; lymphopenia; memory T cells