title: Potassium channels of T lymphocytes take center stage in the fight against cancer.
abstract: A recent study by Eil at al. published in Nature in September 2016 provides evidence that alterations of the K+homeostasis of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in necrotic areas of the tumor microenvironment (TME) suppress the function of effector T cells. Furthermore, they establish that overexpression of K+channels in T lymphocytes counterbalances this negative effect of the TME and restores the ability of TILs to function, ultimately leading to increased survival of tumor bearing mice. Thus, K+channels in T lymphocytes become interesting new targets for novel immunotherapies in cancer. This Commentary discusses Eil's finding in the context of the central role that K+channels play in the suppressed state of TILs as they mediate the immunosuppressive effects of multiple conditions of the TME including hypoxia and adenosine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3761-7595
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conforti
mesh_terms: D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels
keywords: Immunotherapy; Potassium ions; Tumor microenvironment