Marrying immunotherapy with chemotherapy: why say IDO?

Cancer Res. 2005 Sep 15;65(18):8065-8. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-05-2213.

Abstract

Activation of the tryptophan catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in cancer cells facilitates immune escape. A recent study now shows how small-molecule inhibitors of IDO can be used to leverage the efficacy of traditional chemotherapeutic drugs that are used to treat cancer in the clinic. By promoting antitumor immune responses in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy, IDO inhibitors may offer a drug-based strategy to more effectively attack systemic cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Synergism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / drug effects
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / immunology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase