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Cancer immunotherapy by targeting immune checkpoints: mechanism of T cell dysfunction in cancer immunity and new therapeutic targets
- Source :
- Journal of Biomedical Science, Vol 24, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2017)
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- BMC, 2017.
-
Abstract
- Abstract Immune checkpoints or coinhibitory receptors, such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4 and programmed death (PD)-1, play important roles in regulating T cell responses, and they were proven to be effective targets in treating cancer. In chronic viral infections and cancer, T cells are chronically exposed to persistent antigen stimulation. This is often associated with deterioration of T cell function with constitutive activation of immune checkpoints, a state called ‘exhaustion’, which is commonly associated with inefficient control of tumors and persistent viral infections. Immune checkpoint blockade can reinvigorate dysfunctional/exhausted T cells by restoring immunity to eliminate cancer or virus-infected cells. These immune checkpoint blocking antibodies have moved immunotherapy into a new era, and they represent paradigm-shifting therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. A clearer understanding of the regulatory roles of these receptors and elucidation of the mechanisms of T cell dysfunction will provide more insights for rational design and development of cancer therapies that target immune checkpoints. This article reviews recent advance(s) in molecular understanding of T cell dysfunction in tumor microenvironments. In addition, we also discuss new immune checkpoint targets in cancer therapy.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14230127
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Journal of Biomedical Science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.9a3f15f3823f4eb4beb7ce91a5b5faac
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-017-0341-0