The immune system in the normal endometrium and implications for endometrial cancer development

Abstract

Although described for the first time some decades ago, the contribution of the immune system to the establishment of tumors has not been extensively pursued for a long time. Over the last decade, however, more and more evidence has been accumulating concerning the role the immune system plays in tumor development and progression and its possible role in patient prognosis. In addition, interest is growing in preclinical and clinical research concerning the use of the immune system in the treatment of cancer. Immunotherapy for gynecological cancers in general, and for endometrial cancer in particular, is still in its infancy. Only a small number of studies, with varying success rates, have been published. Here, we provide a concise overview of the literature available on the role of the immune system in the normal endometrium and in endometrial cancer, in addition to the possible implications for future immunotherapeutic studies.

Tumor genotype and immune microenvironment in POLE-ultramutated and MSI-hypermutated Endometrial Cancers: New candidates for checkpoint blockade immunotherapy?

“…EC is considered an immunogenic tumor; the immune system is present and active in both the normal endometrium and in the tumoral tissue [55]. In the normal endometrium, it has a dualistic function: protection against pathogens and safeguarding feto-maternal tolerance; whereas in the EC it has both a pro-and anti-tumorigenic action [55].…”

“…In the normal endometrium, it has a dualistic function: protection against pathogens and safeguarding feto-maternal tolerance; whereas in the EC it has both a pro-and anti-tumorigenic action [55].…”

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Gynecological Cancers: Update of Literature and Perspectives of Clinical Research

“…The immune system plays an important role both in the physiological changes of endometrium and inendometrial carcinogenesis (80,81). de Jong et al (82) assessed CD8 + TILs and T-reg cells on paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 368 patients with Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO) stage I-IV EC.…”

Increased frequency of regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma

“…EA is commonly detected early and has a high cure rate (4,5). A number of risk factors are involved in the etiology of endometrial cancer, including obesity, diabetes and ageing of the population (6). It is believed that tumorigenesis results from cell growth dysregulation and the failure of the host to provide a sufficient antitumor immune response (7).…”