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Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy
Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy 9/2008

01-09-2008 | Review

Toll-like receptors expressed in tumor cells: targets for therapy

Authors: Li Yu, Shangwu Chen

Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy | Issue 9/2008

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Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), mainly expressing in human immune related cells and epithelial cells, play an essential role in the host defense against microbes by recognizing conserved bacterial molecules. Recently, the expression or up-regulation of TLRs has been detected in many tumor cell lines or tumors, especially epithelial derived cancers. Although the TLR profile varies on different tumor cells, the current evidences indicate that the expression of TLRs is functionally associated with tumor progression. TLR expression may promote malignant transformation of epithelial cells. Engagement of TLRs increases tumor growth and tumor immune escape, and induces apoptosis resistance and chemoresistance in some tumor cells. These findings demonstrate that TLR is a promising target for the development of anticancer drugs and make TLR agonists or antagonists the potential agents for tumor therapy.
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Metadata
Title
Toll-like receptors expressed in tumor cells: targets for therapy
Authors
Li Yu
Shangwu Chen
Publication date
01-09-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy / Issue 9/2008
Print ISSN: 0340-7004
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0851
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-008-0459-8

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