The use of TLR7 and TLR8 ligands for the enhancement of cancer immunotherapy

Oncologist. 2008 Aug;13(8):859-75. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2008-0097. Epub 2008 Aug 13.

Abstract

The importance of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in stimulating innate and adaptive immunity is now well established. In view of this, TLR ligands have become interesting targets to use as stand-alone immunotherapeutics or vaccine adjuvants for cancer treatment. TLR7 and TLR8 were found to be closely related, sharing their intracellular endosomal location, as well as their ligands. In this review, we describe the agonists of TLR7 and TLR8 that are known so far, as well as their contribution to antitumor responses by affecting immune cells, tumor cells, and the tumor microenvironment. The major benefit of TLR7/8 agonists as immune response enhancers is their simultaneous stimulation of several cell types, resulting in a mix of activated immune cells, cytokines and chemokines at the tumor site. We discuss the studies that used TLR7/8 agonists as stand-alone immunotherapeutics or cancer vaccine adjuvants, as well as the potential of TLR7/8 ligands to enhance antitumor responses in passive immunotherapy approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Ligands
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / agonists*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / therapeutic use
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8 / agonists*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8 / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Ligands
  • TLR7 protein, human
  • TLR8 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8