Regulatory T cells in acute myelogenous leukemia: is it time for immunomodulation?

Blood. 2011 Nov 10;118(19):5084-95. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-07-365817. Epub 2011 Aug 31.

Abstract

The microenviroment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is suppressive for immune effector cells. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been recognized as a contributor factor and may be recruited and exploited by leukemic cells to evade immunesurveillance. Studies have shown that the frequencies of marrow and blood Tregs are greater in patients with AML than in control patients. Although increased Tregs have been associated with a decreased risk of GVHD after allogeneic HCT and hence may impede the graft-versus-tumor effect, recent findings indicate that that this may not be the case. Because there is a need to improve outcomes of standard treatment (chemotherapy with or without allogeneic HCT) in AML, targeting Tregs present an outstanding opportunity in AML because discoveries may apply throughout its treatment. Here, we review data on the roles of Tregs in mediating immune system-AML interactions. We focused on in vitro, animal, and observational human studies of Tregs in AML biology, development, prognosis, and therapy in different settings (eg, vaccination and HCT). Manipulation of Tregs or other types of immunomodulation may become a part of AML treatment in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Cancer Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Galectins / metabolism
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology
  • Graft vs Leukemia Effect / immunology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / immunology*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / therapy*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Immunological
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / classification
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Galectins
  • HAVCR2 protein, human
  • Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
  • LGALS9 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • antigens, CD200