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Table 1 Effects of chemotherapy on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

From: Relevance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in breast cancer

Drug

Target

Immunological effects and model used

Reference

Gemcitabine

Nucleoside analogue, prevents DNA replication

Reduction in the number of MDSCs

[126]

HER2/neu model; breast cancer

[127, 128]

Mesothelioma and lung cancer models

[48]

Reduction in MDSCs and Tregs when given with cyclophosphamide; CT26 colon carcinoma

[49]

Reduction of Tregs in patients with pancreatic cancer

Cyclophosphamide

DNA alkylation, cross-links DNA

Induction of immunogenic cell death, IFN-I mediated activation of dendritic cells; EG7 thymoma, B16F10 melanoma

[129]

Selective depletion of Tregs in MMTV-neu mice (breast cancer)

[88]

Selective depletion of Tregs in colon carcinoma model

[42]

Selective depletion of Tregs in melanoma model

[130]

Reduction in MDSCs and Tregs when given with gemcitabine; CT26 colon carcinoma

[48]

Paclitaxel

Inhibition of mitosis through tubulin targeting

Reduction in MDSC frequency and suppressive activity

[131]

Reduction in Treg numbers and suppressive activity

[52, 132]

Anthracyclines

Multiple mechanisms

Induction of immunogenic cell death; thymoma model, CT26 colon carcinoma

[45]

Differentiation of CD11b+ LY6C+ APCs; MCA205 fibrosarcoma

[133]

Elimination of MDSCs; 4 T1 and EMT6 breast tumor cell lines

[134]

Oxaliplatin

Cross-links DNA

Induction of immunogenic cell death resulting in the activation of myeloid cells; thymoma/colon cancer model

[45, 135]

Cisplatin

Cross-links DNA

Induce the accumulation of CD11c+ inflammatory dendritic cells; lung/colon carcinoma models

[136]

Docetaxel

Inhibition of mitosis through tubulin targeting

Reduction in MDSC frequency and suppressive activity; B16 melanoma model

[116]

5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine

DNA methyltransferase inhibition

Increased antigen presentation by tumor cells; 4 T1 breast cancer model

[137]

Reduction in MDSCs and suppressive function; lung/prostrate carcinoma

[138]

  1. APCs antigen-presenting cell, MDSC myeloid-derived suppressor cells, Tregs regulatory T cells