Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
10:29
Generation of Human Chimeric Antigen Receptor Regulatory T Cells
Published on: January 3, 2025
Tregs and rethinking cancer immunotherapy
1San Antonio Cancer Institute, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. curielt@uthscsa.edu
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|May 4, 2007
Summary
Tumors evade immune rejection by actively suppressing host immunity. Targeting this immune suppression, rather than just increasing immune cells, offers a promising new strategy for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Tumors express antigens that should trigger immune rejection, yet spontaneous tumor rejection is uncommon.
- Established tumors actively subvert host immune responses, contributing to immune evasion.
- Current cancer immunotherapies often focus on increasing antitumor immune cells, which may not be sufficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate current cancer immunotherapy paradigms.
- To explore the potential of targeting tumor-induced immune suppression.
- To highlight regulatory T cells (Tregs) as a key mechanism of immune evasion and a potential therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- This is a Personal Perspective piece, not reporting original experimental data.
- It synthesizes recent findings in tumor immunology and immune evasion.
- It discusses the role of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in tumor-driven immune suppression.
Main Results:
- Tumors actively suppress host immunity as a primary mechanism of evasion.
- A shift towards targeting immune suppression, rather than solely boosting immune cells, is proposed.
- CD4+CD25+ Tregs represent a significant target for novel anticancer strategies.
Conclusions:
- Reducing tumor-driven immune suppression is a promising therapeutic avenue.
- Targeting regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+ Tregs) is a key strategy within this newer paradigm.
- This perspective advocates for a paradigm shift in cancer immunotherapy research and clinical application.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
02:56Treatment Resistent Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...