Potential anti-tumor effects of regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment: a review

Abstract

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing the transcription factor FoxP3 are essential for maintaining immunological balance and are a significant component of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Single-cell RNA sequencing (ScRNA-seq) technology has shown that Tregs exhibit significant plasticity and functional diversity in various tumors within the TME. This results in Tregs playing a dual role in the TME, which is not always centered around supporting tumor progression as typically believed. Abundant data confirms the anti-tumor activities of Tregs and their correlation with enhanced patient prognosis in specific types of malignancies. In this review, we summarize the potential anti-tumor actions of Tregs, including suppressing tumor-promoting inflammatory responses and boosting anti-tumor immunity. In addition, this study outlines the spatial and temporal variations in Tregs function to emphasize that their predictive significance in malignancies may change. It is essential to comprehend the functional diversity and potential anti-tumor effects of Tregs to improve tumor therapy strategies.

Identification and validation of a platelet-related signature for predicting survival and drug sensitivity in multiple myeloma

“…It has been shown that CTSW is highly expressed in peripheral derived regulatory T cells (pTreg) cells and plays an important role in inhibiting pTreg cell differentiation and function ( Li et al, 2023 ). And numerous experiments have shown that Treg cells not only inhibit anti-tumor immune responses, but also promote tumor microenvironmental vascular regeneration ( Chaudary and Hill, 2007 ; Kim et al, 2020 ; Li et al, 2024 ). Thus CTSW may inhibit tumor development by suppressing Treg cell proliferation, which requires further experimental demonstration.…”

Editorial: Inflammatory Treg reprogramming in the tumor immune microenvironment

“…Through the suppression of other immune cells, Treg maintain immunological homeostasis and self-tolerance in typical conditions ( 2 ). The immunosuppressive activity of Treg serves a dual function in both the initiation and progression of tumors ( 3 , 4 ).…”

“…Through the suppression of other immune cells, Treg maintain immunological homeostasis and selftolerance in typical conditions (2). The immunosuppressive activity of Treg serves a dual function in both the initiation and progression of tumors (3,4).Recent studies have shown that specific signaling molecules present within the TME can induce reprogramming of inflammatory Treg (5). This reprogramming may lead to a shift of inflammatory Treg from a normal immune regulatory phenotype to one that facilitates tumor progression.…”