TREM2: A new player in the tumor microenvironment

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a myeloid cell receptor primarily known for its roles in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Emerging evidence highlights TREM2 as a critical regulator of macrophage function within the tumor microenvironment.
• TREM2-expressing macrophages in human tumors are linked to immunosuppression and poorer patient prognosis across various cancer types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of TREM2's impact on tumor biology and cancer progression.
• To synthesize current literature on TREM2's role in both murine cancer models and human cancers.
• To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting TREM2 in cancer treatment, particularly in combination with immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on TREM2 in cancer.
• Analysis of data from murine models investigating TREM2 deficiency or blockade effects.
• Examination of TREM2 expression patterns in human tumor cohorts and their correlation with clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• TREM2 deficiency or blockade demonstrates protective effects and enhances anti-PD1 therapy response in preclinical murine cancer models.
• TREM2-expressing macrophages are prevalent in diverse human tumors and are associated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
• The presence of TREM2-expressing macrophages generally correlates with poor prognosis in human cancer patients.

Conclusions:

• TREM2 plays a significant role in regulating macrophage-mediated immune responses within tumors.
• Targeting TREM2 presents a potential strategy to overcome tumor-induced immunosuppression and improve immunotherapy outcomes.
• Further investigation into TREM2's function and therapeutic targeting is warranted for various cancer types.