The Role of Soluble CD40L Ligand in Human Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Background: The role of CD40/CD40L in carcinogenesis is widely examined. The mechanisms linking the CD40/CD40L system and the soluble form of CD40 ligand (sCD40L) with neoplasia are nowadays a topic of intensive research. CD40L and sCD40L belong to the TNF superfamily and are molecules with a proinflammatory role. A variety of cells express CD40L such as the immune system cells, the endothelial cells and activated platelets. Although many medications such as statins have been shown to reduce sCD40L, it is still debated whether specific treatments targeting the CD40/CD40L system will prove to be effective against carcinogenesis in the near future.

Materials and methods: A comprehensive search of the Pubmed Database was conducted for English-language studies using a list of key words.

Results: At diagnosis, serum samples of patients with neoplasia contained higher levels of sCD40L than healthy controls, suggesting that sCD40L may play a predictive role in human carcinogenesis.

Conclusion: Patients with neoplasia had higher circulating sCD40L levels and it is likely that sCD40L may have a predictive role. It is still unclear whether sCD40L can be used as a therapeutic target.

Keywords: CD40/CD40L; carcinogenesis; neoplasia; sCD40L.