Emerging strategies in regulatory T-cell immunotherapies

The ability of tumors to evade immune system surveillance is an important characteristic that allows for their growth and survival. Accumulating evidence suggests that the mechanisms which allow for tumor cell evasion are similar to those that exits to prevent autoimmune diseases. Thus, targeting the immune system may be a major strategy to develop novel anti-tumor therapies. Among these strategies are therapies directed against regulatory T cells, as well as therapies designed to enhance the immune response triggered by CD8+ T cells. In the clinical roundtable, several experts discuss emerging strategies in regulatory T-cell immunotherapies. First, the major concepts behind immune suppression of solid tumors are described, including the current challenges and therapeutic targets under investigation. Then, the strategies under development are examined for their ability to overcome the regulatory T-cell effects in tumors. Finally, the roundtable concludes with a discussion of how these basic immunomodulatory concepts are being translated into clinical application. By understanding this roundtable, the clinician or oncologist will have a strong understanding of the current state-of-the-art strategies under investigation for anti-tumor immunotherapy.