Interleukin 10 in the tumor microenvironment: a target for anticancer immunotherapy

T Sato, M Terai, Y Tamura, V Alexeev… - Immunologic …, 2011 - Springer
T Sato, M Terai, Y Tamura, V Alexeev, MJ Mastrangelo, SR Selvan
Immunologic research, 2011Springer
IL-10 is an immunomodulatory cytokine that is frequently upregulated in various types of
cancer. The biological role of IL-10 in cancer is quite complex; however, the presence of IL-
10 in advanced metastases and the positive correlation between serum IL-10 levels and
progression of disease indicates a critical role of IL-10 in the tumor microenvironment. IL-10
has been shown to directly affect the function of antigen-presenting cells by inhibiting the
expression of MHC and costimulatory molecules, which in turn induces immune suppression …
Abstract
IL-10 is an immunomodulatory cytokine that is frequently upregulated in various types of cancer. The biological role of IL-10 in cancer is quite complex; however, the presence of IL-10 in advanced metastases and the positive correlation between serum IL-10 levels and progression of disease indicates a critical role of IL-10 in the tumor microenvironment. IL-10 has been shown to directly affect the function of antigen-presenting cells by inhibiting the expression of MHC and costimulatory molecules, which in turn induces immune suppression or tolerance. Additionally, IL-10 downregulates the expression of Th1 cytokines and induces T-regulatory responses. Taken together, a combination of IL-10 antagonism and immunostimulatory treatments such as cancer vaccines, Toll-like receptor agonists, Th1 cytokines, and chemokines would be a logical approach to enhance an antitumor immune response.
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