Myeloid derived suppressor cells in physiological and pathological conditions: the good, the bad, and the ugly

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key players in tumor immune evasion.
• Their significance in human cancers is increasingly recognized.
• Targeting MDSCs is a focus of current preclinical and clinical research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted biology of MDSCs.
• To explore their role beyond tumor progression, including initiation.
• To discuss their regulatory function in diverse immune responses.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent findings on MDSC biology.
• Analysis of MDSC involvement in tumor initiation, progression, and immune regulation.
• Synthesis of data from preclinical models and clinical trials.

Main Results:

• MDSCs are a heterogeneous myeloid progenitor population.
• Evidence suggests MDSCs regulate physiologic, chronic, and pathologic immune responses.
• MDSCs may influence not only tumor progression but also tumor initiation.

Conclusions:

• MDSCs have a complex role in cancer beyond immune suppression.
• Understanding MDSC biology is critical for developing novel cancer therapies.
• MDSCs are emerging as central regulators of immune homeostasis and pathology.