DISPARATE FUNCTIONS OF MYELOID-DERIVED SUPPRESSOR CELLS IN CANCER METASTASIS

Abstract

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells comprise a heterogeneous population of immature immune cells that expand during the course of cancer progression. These cells adopt an immunosuppressive phenotype that impairs the anti-tumour immune response through modulation of T cells, natural killer cells, dendritic cells and macrophages, as evidenced both in mouse models of cancer and patients. While much attention has been focused on the immunosuppressive roles of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, it is becoming increasingly clear that they can also promote tumour progression and metastasis via other immune-independent functions, including the regulation of angiogenesis and tumour invasiveness. Their ar..