Targeting tumor-infiltrating tregs for improved antitumor responses

Abstract

Immunotherapies have revolutionized the landscape of cancer treatment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), as crucial components of the tumor immune environment, has great therapeutic potential. However, nonspecific inhibition of Tregs in therapies may not lead to enhanced antitumor responses, but could also trigger autoimmune reactions in patients, resulting in intolerable treatment side effects. Hence, the precision targeting and inhibition of tumor-infiltrating Tregs is of paramount importance. In this overview, we summarize the characteristics and subpopulations of Tregs within tumor microenvironment and their inhibitory mechanisms in antitumor responses. Furthermore, we discuss the current major strategies targeting regulatory T cells, weighing their advantages and limitations, and summarize representative clinical trials targeting Tregs in cancer treatment. We believe that developing therapies that specifically target and suppress tumor-infiltrating Tregs holds great promise for advancing immune-based therapies.

The Neuroimmune Axis and Its Therapeutic Potential for Primary Liver Cancer

“…CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment [ 71 , 72 ]. An elevated ratio of CD8+ T cells to CD4+ Tregs in the tumor microenvironment suggests a more effective antitumor immune response [ 73 ]. Programmed death-1 (PD-1) is a checkpoint receptor expressed on the surface of T cells, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) [ 74 ].…”