Understanding Dendritic Cells and Their Role in Cutaneous Carcinoma and Cancer Immunotherapy

Figure 4

The SCC microenvironment may impact the immune response. The SCC microenvironment is dynamic and involves a complex interplay of both pro- and anti-inflammatory signals. It is associated with an elevated number of IFN-α secreting pDCs, and an increased capacity for LCs to stimulate CD8+ T cells. These may serve to enhance the immune response and promote tumor immunity. Conversely, we have also shown the tumor microenvironment to contain an increased number of regulatory T cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and immune suppressive molecules such as IL-10, TGF-β, and VEGF-A. These may be contributing to tumor growth and immune dysfunction through the suppression of mDC and CD8+ T cell activity.