No abstract

Our current understanding of human tumor-resident myeloid cells is, for the most part, based on a large body of work in murine models or studies enumerating myeloid cells in patient tumor samples using immunohistochemistry (IHC). This has led to the establishment of the theory that, by and large, tumor-resident myeloid cells are either “protumor” M2 macrophages or myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). This concept has accelerated our understanding of myeloid cells in tumor progression and enabled the elucidation of many key regulatory mechanisms involved in cell recruitment, polarization, and activation. On the other hand, this paradigm does not embrace the complexity of the tumor-resident myeloid cell phenotype (IHC can only measure 1 or 2 markers per sample) and their possible divergent function in the hostile tumor microenvironment. Here, we examine the criteria that define human tumor-infiltrating myeloid cell subsets and provide a comprehensive and critical review of human myeloid cell nomenclature in cancer. We also highlight new evidence characterizing their contribution to cancer pathogenesis based on evidence derived from clinical studies drawing comparisons with murine studies where necessary. We then review the mechanisms in which myeloid cells are regulated by tumors in humans and how these are being targeted therapeutically.

Alterations in NK subset distributions in chronic HCV infection may explain why previous reports of impaired NK cell functions were difficult to confirm. Altered NK cell functions may contribute to impaired cellular immune responses and chronicity of disease following HCV infection.

Chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) is a common and often severe side effect experienced by colorectal cancer (CRC) patients during their treatment. As chemotherapy regimens evolve to include more efficacious agents, CID is increasingly becoming a major cause of dose limiting toxicity and merits further investigation. Inflammation is a key factor behind gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity of chemotherapy. Different chemotherapeutic agents activate a diverse range of pro-inflammatory pathways culminating in distinct histopathological changes in the small intestine and colonic mucosa. Here we review the current understanding of the mechanisms behind GI toxicity and the mucositis associated with systemic treatment of CRC. Insights into the inflammatory response activated during this process gained from various models of GI toxicity are discussed. The inflammatory processes contributing to the GI toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents are increasingly being recognised as having an important role in the development of anti-tumor immunity, thus conferring added benefit against tumor recurrence and improving patient survival. We review the basic mechanisms involved in the promotion of immunogenic cell death and its relevance in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Finally, the impact of CID on patient outcomes and therapeutic strategies to prevent or minimise the effect of GI toxicity and mucositis are discussed.