A mechanism of IL-34-induced resistance against cytotoxic anti-cancer therapies such as radiation by X-ray and chemotherapy by Oxaliplatin

Interleukin-34 (IL-34) has been known as a factor that is involved with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. However, there are limitations to addressing the mechanism of how IL-34 induces therapeutic resistance. Here, we show a mechanism of IL-34-induced resistance against cytotoxic anti-cancer therapies such as radiotherapy using X-ray and chemotherapy by Oxaliplatin. This research demonstrates that IL-34 immunologically changes the tumor microenvironment after treatments with radiation or chemotherapeutic agents such as oxaliplatin. We identified the changes in immune cells using flow cytometry and immunofluorescent (IF) staining, which are up-regulated upon the existence of IL-34. Overall, these findings demonstrate the possibility of IL-34 blockade as a novel combination therapy for cancer.