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Real Time Detection of In Vitro Tumor Cell Apoptosis Induced by CD8+ T Cells to Study Immune Suppressive Functions of Tumor-infiltrating Myeloid Cells
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Programmed Cell Death Tunes Tumor Immunity

Jing Liu1,2, Minjing Hong1, Yijia Li1,2

  • 1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumour Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhuhai People's Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China.

Frontiers in Immunology
|April 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways like apoptosis and pyroptosis are key to clearing cells and impact cancer immunity. Understanding these cell death mechanisms offers new avenues for cancer therapy development.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cellular demise is essential for tissue homeostasis and removing damaged cells.
  • Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, PANoptosis, and autophagy, have distinct molecular mechanisms.
  • These PCD pathways critically influence the tumor microenvironment (TME) and cancer treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of major PCD pathways in cancer.
  • To discuss the molecular messengers released during PCD and their immune-modulating functions within the TME.
  • To explore the immunological consequences of PCD and its therapeutic implications in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of programmed cell death pathways.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms and immune crosstalk in the TME.
  • Exploration of PCD's dual role (pro-tumor/anti-tumor) and its impact on anti-tumor immunity.

Main Results:

  • PCD pathways significantly modulate the immunosuppressive TME.
  • Released intracellular contents during PCD influence immune cell populations (effector vs. regulatory).
  • PCD plays a dual role in tumor progression and anti-tumor immunity.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding PCD crosstalk with immune responses is crucial for cancer therapy.
  • Targeting PCD pathways may enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve therapeutic efficacy.
  • PCD modulation presents a promising strategy for future cancer treatment development.
Keywords:
PANoptosisapoptosisautophagyferroptosisnecroptosispyroptosistumor immunotherapytumor microenvironment

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