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Interferon α in cancer immunoediting: From elimination to escape

Paolo Vidal1

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines.

Scandinavian Journal of Immunology
|January 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Interferon α (IFNα) has dual roles in cancer, acting as both an anti-cancer and pro-tumorigenic agent. Its effectiveness depends on the tumor

Area of Science:

  • Immunology and Oncology

Background:

  • Interferon α (IFNα) is an established immunotherapy for various cancers.
  • Its clinical success has been limited, with some cases showing negative outcomes.
  • The cancer immunoediting concept highlights the immune system's complex role in tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the dual roles of Interferon α (IFNα) in cancer development.
  • To explore how IFNα signaling impacts anti- or pro-tumorigenic gene expression.
  • To identify potential new applications for IFNα in cancer immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Interferon α (IFNα) functions in cancer.
  • Analysis of the relationship between IFNα signaling pathways and tumor immunity.
  • Evaluation of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in different cancer contexts.

Main Results:

  • Interferon α (IFNα) exhibits opposing effects on tumor growth.
  • The mutational status of IFNα signaling components dictates the expression of anti- or pro-tumorigenic ISGs.
  • This duality is influenced by the tumor microenvironment and host immune response.

Conclusions:

  • Interferon α (IFNα) possesses a dual role in cancer, potentially promoting or inhibiting tumor development.
  • Understanding the specific context of IFNα signaling is crucial for optimizing its therapeutic use.
  • The proposed duality opens avenues for novel cancer immunotherapy strategies targeting IFNα pathways.
Keywords:
STAT1interferon αpro-tumorigenic

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