Renewed interest in cancer immunotherapy with the tumor necrosis factor superfamily molecules

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2006 Apr;55(4):355-62. doi: 10.1007/s00262-005-0081-y. Epub 2005 Sep 27.

Abstract

Molecules belonging to the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and TNF receptor superfamilies have explosively expanded through the era of genomics and bioinformatics. Biological investigations of these molecules have explored their potency as attractive targets for cancer therapy. Anti-tumor mechanisms mediated by TNF superfamily molecules (TNFSF) could be classified into direct actions onto tumor cells and indirect effects through immune or non-immune components of tumor-bearing host. In this review, we focus on TRAIL, CD40, 4-1BB (CD137), and LIGHT as promising molecules to mediate powerful and selective anti-tumor responses, and summarize their unique effector mechanisms. In addition, optimal approaches to manipulate these molecules for cancer therapy are also discussed. We try to provide an insight into a role of TNFSF in cancer therapeutics and highlight each of their potency to be an important player in anti-cancer strategies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / immunology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / immunology*
  • CD40 Antigens / immunology*
  • Computational Biology
  • Genomics
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / trends
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / immunology*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / drug effects
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / immunology*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / physiology
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • CD40 Antigens
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • TNFRSF9 protein, human
  • TNFSF10 protein, human
  • TNFSF14 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 14
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha