Toll-Like Receptor Pathway and Its Targeting in Treatment of Cancers Publisher



Aalaeiandabili SH^{1, 2} ; Basith S³ ; Choi S³ ; Rezaei N^{4, 5}
Source: Cancer Immunology: Bench to Bedside Immunotherapy of Cancers Published:2015

Abstract

Pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) play important roles in the regulation of immune responses. In particular, most of the studies have been centered on TLRs that play a pivotal role in tumor biology. TLR activation acts as a double-edged sword with both pro- and antitumor responses. Certain TLRs activate PI3K/Akt pathway, leading to tumor progression. In contrast, few TLRs are involved in targeting other pathways to inhibit tumor cell growth. Moreover, TLRs also regulate other pathways such as STATs, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α/β), which are involved in human cancer progression. Drug- and immune system-induced apoptosis of cancer are dependent on TLR function. Since TLR function varies according to the cancer type and the TLRs expressed, their signaling pathway should either be triggered or targeted to control cancer progression. Hence, more investigations are required to discover proper therapeutic approaches for cancer. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015.