
Humoral immune responses: Unsung heroes of the war on cancer.
Solid cancers progress from primordial lesions through complex interactions between tumor-promoting and anti-tumor immune cell types, ultimately leading to the orchestration of humoral and T cell adaptive immune responses, albeit in an immunosuppressive environment. B cells infiltrating most established tumors have been associated with a dual role: Some studies have associated antibodies produced by tumor-associated B cells with the promotion of regulatory activities on myeloid cells, and also with direct immunosuppression through the production of IL-10, IL-35 or TGF-β. In contrast, recent studies in multiple human malignancies identify B cell responses with delayed malignant progression and coordinated T cell protective responses. This includes the elusive role of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures identified in many human tumors, where the function of B cells remains unknown. Here, we discuss emerging data on the dual role of B cell responses in the pathophysiology of human cancer, providing a perspective on future directions and possible novel interventions to restore the coordinated action of both branches of the adaptive immune response, with the goal of maximizing immunotherapeutic effectiveness.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Neoplasms
- Immunomodulation
- Immunology
- Immunity, Humoral
- Humans
- Disease Susceptibility
- Disease Management
- Cytokines
- Biomarkers
Citation

Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Tumor Microenvironment
- Neoplasms
- Immunomodulation
- Immunology
- Immunity, Humoral
- Humans
- Disease Susceptibility
- Disease Management
- Cytokines
- Biomarkers