The untold story of IFN-γ in cancer biology

- This review highlights the regulatory functions of interferon (IFN)-γ in cancer biology.
- IFN-γ is acknowledged with its cytostatic, pro-apoptotic and immune-provoking effects against tumor development.
- Many regulatory pathways can be induced by IFN-γ, to protect the normal tissues from collateral damage and to facilitate the re-establishment of homeostasis.
- Malignant cells take the advantage of IFN-γ as an inducer of mediators inhibiting anti-tumor immune reactions. Under the influence of tumor-derived factors, certain types of immune cells are also licensed by IFN-γ to perform regulatory actions.
- A better understanding of the alternative functions of IFN-γ will provide new insights for cancer biology and immune intervention therapies.

Interferon (IFN)-γ is the uppermost cytokine implicated in anti-tumor immunity. With its cytostatic, pro-apoptotic and immune-provoking effects, IFN-γ plays a central role in the recognition and elimination of transformed cells. Considering well-characterized anti-tumor effects of this cytokine, many clinical trials and immunotherapy approaches have been designed to reinforce IFN-γ-mediated immunity for different types of cancer. However, the outcomes were not satisfactory and leaded to questioning of alternative actions of IFN-γ. Many regulatory pathways can be induced by IFN-γ to protect the normal tissues from collateral damage and to facilitate the re-establishment of homeostasis. Nevertheless, malignant cells can take the advantage of IFN-γ as an inducer of mediators inhibiting anti-tumor immune reactions. In addition, under the influence of tumor-derived factors, certain types of immune cells are also licensed by IFN-γ to perform regulatory actions. This review focuses on the immune modulatory functions of IFN-γ in cancer as an alternative story to be told.