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Published on: November 28, 2019
The role of pyroptosis in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment
Jinxiang Wu1, Lei Wang2, Jianwei Xu3
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Abstract:
The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays a key role in immunosuppression in cancer, which results in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, and contributes to insensitivity to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Understanding the mechanism of TIME formation is critical for overcoming cancer. Pyroptosis exerts a dual role in modulating the TIME. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of pyroptosis in modulating the TIME and the potential application of targeted pyroptosis therapy in the clinic. Several treatments targeting pyroptosis have been developed; however, the majority of treatments are still in preclinical studies. Only a few agents have been used in clinic, but the outcomes are unsatisfactory. More studies are necessary to determine the role of pyroptosis in cancer, and more research is required to realize the application of treatments targeting pyroptosis in the clinic.
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