Regulatory T cells in colorectal cancer patients suppress anti-tumor immune activity in a COX-2 dependent manner

摘要

Naturally occurring regulatory T (TR) cells suppress autoreactive T cells whereas adaptive TR cells, induced in the periphery, play an important role in chronic viral diseases and cancer. Several studies indicate that cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors prevent cancer development of colon adenomas and delay disease progression in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). We have shown that adaptive TR cells express COX-2 and produce PGE2 that suppress effector T cells in a manner that is reversed by COX-inhibitors.