The acidic tumour microenvironment: Manipulating the immune response to elicit escape

Catherine M Worsley; Rob B Veale; Elizabeth S Mayne

doi:10.1016/j.humimm.2022.01.014

The acidic tumour microenvironment: Manipulating the immune response to elicit escape

Hum Immunol. 2022 May;83(5):399-408. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.01.014. Epub 2022 Feb 22.

Authors

Catherine M Worsley¹, Rob B Veale², Elizabeth S Mayne³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Haematology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, South Africa. Electronic address: u05116602@up.ac.za.
² School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
³ National Health Laboratory Service, South Africa; Department of Immunology Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

PMID: 35216847
DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2022.01.014

Abstract

The success of cancer treatment relies on the composition of the tumour microenvironment which is comprised of tumour cells, blood vessels, stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix components. Barriers to effective cancer treatment need to be overcome, and the acidic microenvironment of the tumour provides a key target for treatment. This review intends to provide an overview of the effects that low extracellular pH has on components of the tumour microenvironment and how they contribute to immune escape. Further, potential therapeutic targets will be discussed.

Keywords: Acidosis; Immune escape; T cells; Tolerance; Tumour microenvironment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Immunity
Neoplasms* / therapy
Tumor Microenvironment*