Immune-suppressive effects of IL-6 on T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity

Abstract

Accompanied by the growing clinical applications of immunotherapy in treatment for cancer patients, the development of novel therapeutic approaches to reverse the immune-suppressive environment in cancer patients is eagerly anticipated, because the success of cancer immunotherapy is currently limited by immune-suppressive effects in tumor-bearing hosts. Interleukin (IL)-6, a pleotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine, participates in tumor cell-autonomous processes that are required for their survival and growth, and is therefore known as a poor prognostic factor in cancer patients. In addition, an emerging roles of IL-6 in modulating multiple functions of immune cells including T cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages, are responsible for the dysfunction of innate and adaptive immunity against tumors. Therefore, the IL-6-targeting approach is of value as a promising strategy for desensitization and prevention of immune-suppressive effects, and should be an effective treatment when combined with current immunotherapies. The aim of this review is to discuss the immune-suppressive aspects of IL-6, notably with modification of T-cell functions in cancer patients, and their relationship to anti-tumor immune-responses and cancer immunotherapy.

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