Immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment: a role for dendritic cell-mediated tolerization of T cells

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2012 Feb;61(2):289-293. doi: 10.1007/s00262-011-1181-5. Epub 2012 Jan 12.

Abstract

Immune suppression remains a consistent obstacle to successful anti-tumor immune responses. As tumors develop, they create a microenvironment that not only supports tumor growth and metastasis but also reduces potential adaptive immunity to tumor antigens. Among the many components of this tumor microenvironment is a population of dendritic cells which exert profound immune suppressive effects on T cells. In this review, we discuss our recent findings related to these tumor-associated dendritic cells and how targeting them may serve to generate more durable anti-tumor immune responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Tumor Escape
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm