Tumor Associated Immune Dysfunction: Immune Cells Involved and Suggested Therapies

Abstract

The improvement in the understanding of cancer immunology did not lead to a successful immunotherapeutic strategy. Cancer immunotherapy faces different obstacles including low immunogenicity, production of immunosuppressive agents, and the peripheral tolerance which is used by cancer cells to avoid recognition and destruction by effective cells in the immune system. The establishment and maintenance of immune tolerance is a result of a contribution of various immune cells. This review discusses the role of immune cells that support tumor growth and suggests some immunotherapeutic strategies that may increase tumor immunogenicity and improve immunotherapy. However, a careful preclinical and clinical evaluation is essential before considering these strategies as therapeutic options.