Dual role of immunomodulation by anticancer chemotherapy.

Shurin, Michael R · Nat Med · 2013

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

The anticancer efficacy of conventional chemotherapies seems to be due, in part, to augmentation of the host immune reactivity. However, a new study reveals that two common chemotherapeutic agents, gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil, can also activate immune regulatory cells, which stimulates the emergence of protumorigenic cytokines via inflammasome pathways, limiting the antitumor efficacy of the drugs (pages 57–64).

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