2. Academic Validation
  3. Targeting the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase pathway in cancer

Targeting the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase pathway in cancer

  • J Immunother Cancer. 2015 Dec 15:3:51. doi: 10.1186/s40425-015-0094-9.
Yong Wha Moon 1,  Joud Hajjar 2,  Patrick Hwu 3,  Aung Naing 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 463-712 South Korea ; Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Box 455, Houston, TX 77030 USA.
  • 2 Section of Immunology, Allergy & Rheumatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030 USA.
  • 3 Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA.
  • 4 Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Box 455, Houston, TX 77030 USA.
PMID: 26674411 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-015-0094-9
Abstract

Tumor cells escape the immune surveillance system of the host through a process called immune tolerance. Immunotherapy targets molecules that serve as checks and balances in the regulation of immune response. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an intracellular enzyme, which through the process of tryptophan depletion exerts an immunosuppressive effect, facilitating immune escape of tumors. This review summarizes our current knowledge on IDO expression in malignancies, the IDO inhibitors that are currently available and those under clinical development.

Keywords

IDO inhibitors; Immune surveillance; Immunomodulatory; Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase; Malignancy.

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