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Review
. 2022 Jan;29(1):10-21.
doi: 10.1038/s41417-021-00303-x. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Key chemokines direct migration of immune cells in solid tumors

Karan Kohli  1 , Venu G Pillarisetty  2 , Teresa S Kim  2
Affiliations
Review

Key chemokines direct migration of immune cells in solid tumors

Karan Kohli et al. Cancer Gene Ther. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Immune cell infiltration into solid tumors, their movement within the tumor microenvironment (TME), and interaction with other immune cells are controlled by their directed migration towards gradients of chemokines. Dysregulated chemokine signaling in TME favors the growth of tumors, exclusion of effector immune cells, and abundance of immunosuppressive cells. Key chemokines directing the migration of immune cells into tumor tissue have been identified. In this review, we discuss well-studied chemokine receptors that regulate migration of effector and immunosuppressive immune cells in the context of cancer immunology. We discuss preclinical models that have described the role of respective chemokine receptors in immune cell migration into TME and review preclinical and clinical studies that target chemokine signaling as standalone or combination therapies.

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Conflict of interest statement

VGP receives research funding from Merck, Ipsen, and AstraZeneca. He currently has a consulting role at Takeda and has consulted Merck, Imvax, and GlaxoSmithKline in the past.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Key chemokines inducing immune infiltration into solid tumors.
Illustration depicts chemokines that have been commonly found to guide different types of immune cells into solid TME.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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