Interleukin-10 and the immune response against cancer: a counterpoint

J Leukoc Biol. 2005 Nov;78(5):1043-51. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0705358. Epub 2005 Oct 4.

Abstract

Although interleukin-10 (IL-10) is commonly regarded as an anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive cytokine that favors tumor escape from immune surveillance, a wealth of evidence is accumulating that IL-10 also possesses some immunostimulating properties. In fact, IL-10 has the pleiotropic ability of influencing positively and negatively the function of innate and adaptive immunity in different experimental models, which makes it questionable to merely categorize this cytokine as a target of anti-immune escape therapeutic strategies or rather, as an immunological adjuvant in the fight against cancer. Here, we review available data about the immunostimulating anticancer properties of IL-10, and in particular, we focus on the hypothesis that in contrast to what occurs in secondary lymphoid organs, IL-10 overexpression within the tumor microenvironment may catalyze cancer immune rejection.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-10 / therapeutic use
  • Models, Immunological
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Interleukin-10