What are Some Key Immunosuppressive Molecules in Cancer?
Several key immunosuppressive molecules are frequently implicated in cancer:
Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1): A protein expressed on cancer cells that binds to the PD-1 receptor on T cells, leading to T cell exhaustion and reduced anti-tumor activity. Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4): A receptor on T cells that, when engaged, inhibits T cell activation and proliferation. Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β): A cytokine that can inhibit the function of various immune cells, including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Interleukin-10 (IL-10): Another cytokine that suppresses the activity of T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs), promoting a tolerogenic environment. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO): An enzyme that depletes tryptophan, an essential amino acid for T cell function, thereby inhibiting T cell proliferation.
