The Potential Role of Regulatory T Lymphocytes (Tregs) In Cancer

Authors: Sobh A*

DOI: 10.23880/aabsc-16000178

Volume 5, Issue 1

Abstract

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are distinct type of T-cells which provide feedback control to any immune response. They are necessary to stop the immune response after the antigen has been successfully recognized. In the tumour micro-environment, the tumour often modulates the immune cells surrounding it in a way that it converts a large population of activated T-cells in to Tregs. For instance, tumours have been known to secrete IL-10 an inhibitory cytokine which is necessary for Treg formation. The tumour also modulates Dendritic cells (DC) and Macrophages so that they secrete inhibitory cytokines and promote tumorigenesis. Commonly, a Treg response to cancer cells, is to suppress the active immune response to the cancer. This review describes the recent studies of Treg cells in different human malignancies and discusses the restoration of antitumor immunity by depletion or reduced the functional strength of Treg cells hence, providing a promising tool to perfectly managing antitumor immune responses.

Keywords: Terg; IL-10; Tumour micro-environment; Activated T-cells

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