NFκB and MHC-1 Interplay in Neuroblastoma and Immunotherapy

Abstract

Pediatric neuroblastoma tumors are notorious nonimmunogenic cancers. In contrast to adult tumor types, neuroblastoma cells express low MHC-1, a derivative of its embryonic cell origin expressing little MHC-1. We here address the role of the nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) pathway in controlling MHC-1 expression in embryonic neural crest cells, during differentiation of healthy cells, and in neuroblastoma tumors. Implications for immunotherapy are discussed.

Keywords: MHC-1; immunotherapy; neural crest; neuroblastoma; nuclear factor kappa B.