The role of cancer stem cells in the modulation of anti-tumor immune responses

Tumor lesions comprise multiple subpopulations of cells including those endowed with “stemness” properties. The latter cells are responsible of tumor initiation, metastasis formation, resistance to conventional therapies and disease recurrence. These relatively rare cells denominated cancer stem cel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Seminars in cancer biology 2018-12, Vol.53, p.189-200
Main Authors: Maccalli, Cristina, Rasul, Kakil Ibrahim, Elawad, Mamoun, Ferrone, Soldano
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cancer stem cells
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - immunology
Humans
Immune escape mechanisms
Immune-based interventions
Immunologic Surveillance - genetics
Immunologic Surveillance - immunology
Immunological profiling
Immunotherapy
MicroRNAs - genetics
MicroRNAs - immunology
Neoplasms - genetics
Neoplasms - immunology
Neoplasms - therapy
Neoplastic Stem Cells - immunology
Neoplastic Stem Cells - metabolism
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
Tumor dormancy
Tumor Microenvironment - genetics
Tumor Microenvironment - immunology
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Summary:Tumor lesions comprise multiple subpopulations of cells including those endowed with “stemness” properties. The latter cells are responsible of tumor initiation, metastasis formation, resistance to conventional therapies and disease recurrence. These relatively rare cells denominated cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer initiating cells (CICs) are defined based on self-renewing, multipotency and tumorigenicity. These cells through their immunomodulating features can evade from immunesurveillance, persisting in the form of quiescence and dormancy. They can drive the neoplastic growth and recurrence, even after long latency. Moreover, CSCs/CICs due to their ability to modulate and shape immune responses can represent the component of a tumor causing immunotherapy resistance in cancer patients. In this review a general overview of immunological properties of CSCs/CICs is provided, with a special focus on the mechanisms of modulation of T cell mediated responses. The need to further dissect the mechanisms regulating the immunological profile of CSCs/CICs and their interactions with immune cells and tumor microenvironment is discussed. An improved characterization of the immunological properties of CSCs/CICs will contribute to the rationale design of immunotherapeutic interventions which target these cells and may lead to the eradication of malignant diseases.
ISSN:1044-579X
1096-3650
DOI:10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.09.006