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T cell exhaustion: from pathophysiological basics to tumor immunotherapy
Kemal Catakovic1,2, Eckhard Klieser2,3, Daniel Neureiter2,3
1Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Department of Internal Medicine III with Haematology, Medical Oncology, Haemostaseology, Infectiology and Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, Salzburg, 5020, Austria.
Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS
|January 12, 2017
Summary
T cell exhaustion functionally silences immune responses against cancer and viruses. This review covers markers of T cell exhaustion and strategies using monoclonal antibodies to reinvigorate these cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The immune system distinguishes danger signals to fight pathogens and cancer, while maintaining self-tolerance.
- T cell exhaustion is a mechanism where effector T cells are functionally silenced, preventing immune responses.
- Viruses and cancers exploit T cell exhaustion for immune evasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review phenotypic markers associated with T cell exhaustion.
- To summarize current therapeutic strategies for reinvigorating exhausted T cells.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on T cell exhaustion.
- Analysis of phenotypic markers indicative of T cell exhaustion.
- Summary of therapeutic approaches targeting surface markers.
Main Results:
- Identification of key phenotypic markers characterizing T cell exhaustion.
- Overview of strategies employing monoclonal antibodies to block these markers.
- Potential for restoring anti-pathogen and anti-cancer immunity.
Conclusions:
- T cell exhaustion is a critical immune escape mechanism exploited by pathogens and tumors.
- Targeting specific surface markers on exhausted T cells with monoclonal antibodies shows promise for immune restoration.
- Further research into reinvigorating T cells could lead to novel cancer and infectious disease therapies.
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