Mechanism of Action of IL-7 and Its Potential Applications and Limitations in Cancer Immunotherapy

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2015-05, Vol.16 (5), p.10267-10280
• Main Authors: Gao, Jianbao, Zhao, Lintao, Wan, Yisong Y, Zhu, Bo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cancer; Humans; IL-7; Immunotherapy; Immunotherapy - methods; Interleukin-7 - metabolism; Interleukin-7 - therapeutic use; Molecular biology; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - therapy; Review; Signal Transduction; T-Lymphocytes - immunology
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms160510267

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a non-hematopoietic cell-derived cytokine with a central role in the adaptive immune system. It promotes lymphocyte development in the thymus and maintains survival of naive and memory T cell homeostasis in the periphery. Moreover, it is important for the organogenesis of lymph nodes (LN) and for the maintenance of activated T cells recruited into the secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs). The immune capacity of cancer patients is suppressed that is characterized by lower T cell counts, less effector immune cells infiltration, higher levels of exhausted effector cells and higher levels of immunosuppressive cytokines, such as transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Recombinant human IL-7 (rhIL-7) is an ideal solution for the immune reconstitution of lymphopenia patients by promoting peripheral T cell expansion. Furthermore, it can antagonize the immunosuppressive network. In animal models, IL-7 has been proven to prolong the survival of tumor-bearing hosts. In this review, we will focus on the mechanism of action and applications of IL-7 in cancer immunotherapy and the potential restrictions for its usage.