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Role of the complement system in the tumor microenvironment.
Ronghua Zhang1, Qiaofei Liu1, Tong Li1
1Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuai Fu Yuan, Dong Dan District, Beijing, 100730 China.
Cancer Cell International
|December 3, 2019
Summary
The complement system, part of innate immunity, plays a key role in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeting complement activation offers potential for novel cancer immunotherapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The complement system, a key innate immunity component, traditionally targets pathogens.
- Emerging evidence highlights complement activation's immunoregulatory roles within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
- Imbalances in complement activation and protein deposition are observed in various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements on the complement system's function in the TME.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting complement-mediated immunoregulation in cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on complement system and TME interactions.
- Analysis of studies investigating complement proteins, receptors, and regulators in cancer progression.
- Synthesis of findings on complement's impact on stromal cells and tumor cell properties.
Main Results:
- Complement activation and protein deposition are dysregulated in the TME.
- Complement components influence stromal cell functions and promote tumor malignancy.
- Interactions between complement and cancer cells drive tumor proliferation, EMT, migration, and invasion.
Conclusions:
- The complement system significantly impacts tumor biology and progression within the TME.
- Targeting complement-mediated pathways presents a promising strategy for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
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