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Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology 1/2021

01-01-2021 | Glioblastoma | Topic Review

Immune suppression in gliomas

Authors: Matthew M. Grabowski, Eric W. Sankey, Katherine J. Ryan, Pakawat Chongsathidkiet, Selena J. Lorrey, Daniel S. Wilkinson, Peter E. Fecci

Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Introduction

The overall survival in patients with gliomas has not significantly increased in the modern era, despite advances such as immunotherapy. This is in part due to their notorious ability to suppress local and systemic immune responses, severely restricting treatment efficacy.

Methods

We have reviewed the preclinical and clinical evidence for immunosuppression seen throughout the disease process in gliomas. This review aims to discuss the various ways that brain tumors, and gliomas in particular, co-opt the body’s immune system to evade detection and ensure tumor survival and proliferation.

Results

A multitude of mechanisms are discussed by which neoplastic cells evade detection and destruction by the immune system. These include tumor-induced T-cell and NK cell dysfunction, regulatory T-cell and myeloid-derived suppressor cell expansion, M2 phenotypic transformation in glioma-associated macrophages/microglia, upregulation of immunosuppressive glioma cell surface factors and cytokines, tumor microenvironment hypoxia, and iatrogenic sequelae of immunosuppressive treatments.

Conclusions

Gliomas create a profoundly immunosuppressive environment, both locally within the tumor and systemically. Future research should aim to address these immunosuppressive mechanisms in the effort to generate treatment options with meaningful survival benefits for this patient population.
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Metadata
Title
Immune suppression in gliomas
Authors
Matthew M. Grabowski
Eric W. Sankey
Katherine J. Ryan
Pakawat Chongsathidkiet
Selena J. Lorrey
Daniel S. Wilkinson
Peter E. Fecci
Publication date
01-01-2021
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Neuro-Oncology / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 0167-594X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7373
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-020-03483-y

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