Beta-Adrenergic Signaling in Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy

Crit Rev Immunol. 2019;39(2):93-103. doi: 10.1615/CritRevImmunol.2019031188.

Abstract

Communication between the nervous and immune systems is required for the body to regulate physiological homeostasis. Beta-adrenergic receptors expressed on immune cells mediate the modulation of immune response by neural activity. Activation of beta-adrenergic signaling results in suppression of antitumor immune response and limits the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Beta-adrenergic signaling is also involved in regulation of hematopoietic reconstitution, which is critical to the graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect and to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In this review, the function of beta-adrenergic signaling in mediating tumor immunosuppression will be highlighted. We will also discuss the implication of targeting beta-adrenergic signaling to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy including the GVT effect, and to diminish the adverse effects including GVHD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Graft vs Tumor Effect / physiology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Neuroimmunomodulation
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Escape
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta