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Potassium channels of T lymphocytes take center stage in the fight against cancer
A recent study by Eil at al. published in Nature in September 2016 provides evidence that alterations of the K(+) homeostasis of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in necrotic areas of the tumor microenvironment (TME) suppress the function of effector T cells. Furthermore, they establish that ove...
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Formato: | Online Artículo Texto |
Lenguaje: | English |
Publicado: |
BioMed Central
2017
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Acceso en línea: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5240326/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28105369 http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40425-016-0202-5 |
Sumario: | A recent study by Eil at al. published in Nature in September 2016 provides evidence that alterations of the K(+) homeostasis of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in necrotic areas of the tumor microenvironment (TME) suppress the function of effector T cells. Furthermore, they establish that overexpression of K(+) channels in T lymphocytes counterbalances this negative effect of the TME and restores the ability of TILs to function, ultimately leading to increased survival of tumor bearing mice. Thus, K(+) channels in T lymphocytes become interesting new targets for novel immunotherapies in cancer. This Commentary discusses Eil’s finding in the context of the central role that K(+) channels play in the suppressed state of TILs as they mediate the immunosuppressive effects of multiple conditions of the TME including hypoxia and adenosine. |
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