Harnessing the regulatory feedback to T cells to enhance antitumor immune responses

Regulatory T cells (Treg) normally serve as a major checkpoint that restrains immune response to self and chronic foreign antigens. It is therefore of no surprise that these cells might serve as an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Current strategy involves not only the elimination of regulatory T cells, but also converting the suppressive Treg into helper Treg. Understanding the development and effector function of Treg might not only provide clues as to whether cancer antigens are preferentially targeted by Treg, but more importantly, might offer new approaches to enhance T-cell-mediated cancer immunity.

Section editors:Claudine Bruck – GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, USAMichel Goldman – University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium