Interleukin-10 and the immune response against cancer: a counterpoint

S Mocellin, FM Marincola… - Journal of leukocyte …, 2005 - academic.oup.com
S Mocellin, FM Marincola, HA Young
Journal of leukocyte biology, 2005academic.oup.com
Abstract Although interleukin-10 (IL-10) is commonly regarded as an anti-inflammatory,
immunosuppressive cytokine that favors tumor escape from immune surveillance, a wealth
of evidence is accumulating that IL-10 also possesses some immunostimulating properties.
In fact, IL-10 has the pleiotropic ability of influencing positively and negatively the function of
innate and adaptive immunity in different experimental models, which makes it questionable
to merely categorize this cytokine as a target of anti-immune escape therapeutic strategies …
Abstract
Although interleukin-10 (IL-10) is commonly regarded as an anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive cytokine that favors tumor escape from immune surveillance, a wealth of evidence is accumulating that IL-10 also possesses some immunostimulating properties. In fact, IL-10 has the pleiotropic ability of influencing positively and negatively the function of innate and adaptive immunity in different experimental models, which makes it questionable to merely categorize this cytokine as a target of anti-immune escape therapeutic strategies or rather, as an immunological adjuvant in the fight against cancer. Here, we review available data about the immunostimulating anticancer properties of IL-10, and in particular, we focus on the hypothesis that in contrast to what occurs in secondary lymphoid organs, IL-10 overexpression within the tumor microenvironment may catalyze cancer immune rejection.
Oxford University Press