Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026
Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
Published on: September 12, 2016
PTEN at the interface of immune tolerance and tumor suppression
Andrew Brandmaier1, Sheng-Qi Hou1, Sandra Demaria1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Background:
PTEN is well known to function as a tumor suppressor that antagonizes oncogenic signaling and maintains genomic stability. The PTEN gene is frequently deleted or mutated in human cancers and the wide cancer spectrum associated with PTEN deficiency has been recapitulated in a variety of mouse models of Pten deletion or mutation. Pten mutations are highly penetrant in causing various types of spontaneous tumors that often exhibit resistance to anticancer therapies including immunotherapy. Recent studies demonstrate that PTEN also regulates immune functionality.
Objective:
To understand the multifaceted functions of PTEN as both a tumor suppressor and an immune regulator.
Methods:
This review will summarize the emerging knowledge of PTEN function in cancer immunoediting. In addition, the mechanisms underlying functional integration of various PTEN pathways in regulating cancer evolution and tumor immunity will be highlighted.
Results:
Recent preclinical and clinical studies revealed the essential role of PTEN in maintaining immune homeostasis, which significantly expands the repertoire of PTEN functions. Mechanistically, aberrant PTEN signaling alters the interplay between the immune system and tumors, leading to immunosuppression and tumor escape.
Conclusion:
Rational design of personalized anti-cancer treatment requires mechanistic understanding of diverse PTEN signaling pathways in modulation of the crosstalk between tumor and immune cells.
Insights
PTEN (Phosphatase and tensin homolog) is a tumor suppressor that also regulates immune function. PTEN deficiency in cancer can lead to immune suppression and tumor escape, impacting treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- PTEN acts as a tumor suppressor, maintaining genomic stability and antagonizing oncogenic signaling.
- PTEN deficiency is common in human cancers and linked to therapy resistance, including immunotherapy.
- Emerging evidence highlights PTEN's role in regulating immune cell function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the dual roles of PTEN as a tumor suppressor and an immune regulator.
- To explore PTEN's function in cancer immunoediting and its integration with cancer evolution and immunity.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent preclinical and clinical studies on PTEN in cancer.
- Analysis of mechanisms underlying PTEN pathway integration in cancer and immunity.
Main Results:
- PTEN is crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis, expanding its known functions.
- Altered PTEN signaling disrupts the tumor-immune system interplay, causing immunosuppression and facilitating tumor escape.
Conclusions:
- Understanding PTEN's diverse signaling pathways is essential for personalized cancer therapy.
- PTEN modulation impacts the crosstalk between tumor cells and the immune system, offering therapeutic targets.
More Related Videos
08:32Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors
Published on: June 7, 2018
14:01Human In Vitro Suppression as Screening Tool for the Recognition of an Early State of Immune Imbalance
Published on: July 22, 2011
Related Concept Videos
02:04Protein-protein Interfaces
02:04Protein-Protein Interfaces
01:38What is the Immune System?
01:36Humoral Immune Responses
01:31Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Antacids
However, this neutralization reaction between...
01:31Active versus Passive Immunity
Active Immunity
Active immunity refers to the resistance one develops...