- Cytokines = proteins which play important role in cell signaling (IL-17 cytokines promote inflammation -> drive tumor growth on colon -> colon cancer)
- Professor Wang discovered removing IL-17 signaling on regulatory T cells (Tregs) increase colon tumor development
- Tregs = often recruited to tumors, hinder body’s ability to impede tumor growth
- IL-17 has site specific inhibition
This means IL-17 inhibits Tregs that would otherwise suppress cancer immunosurveillance while also inhibiting the attraction of T cells that would perform this function. These findings illuminate the complicated role of IL-17 in colorectal cancer and showcase the need for further investigation.
https://today.uconn.edu/2021/10/uconn-immunology-researcher-unraveling-relationship-between-cytokines-and-colorectal-cancer/#
- Reflections/questions:
- Implications on altered functions of immune system during cancer + microenvironment and site specific inhibition
- How does this play a role in metastasis?
- Site specific inhibition may help with more precise treatments
- Complicated relationships between cytokines and cancer
