The immune suppressive tumor microenvironment in multiple myeloma: The contribution of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Front Immunol. 2023 Jan 16:13:1102471. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1102471. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Myeloid derived suppressors cells (MDSC) play major roles in regulating immune homeostasis and immune responses in many conditions, including cancer. MDSC interact with cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) with direct and indirect mechanisms: production of soluble factors and cytokines, expression of surface inhibitory molecules, metabolic rewiring and exosome release. The two-way relationship between MDSC and tumor cells results in immune evasion and cancer outgrowth. In multiple myeloma (MM), MDSC play a major role in creating protumoral TME conditions. In this minireview, we will discuss the interplay between MDSC and MM TME and the possible strategies to target MDSC.

Keywords: Immunothearpies; MDSC (myeloid-derived suppressor cell); TME (tumor microenvironment); immune suppression; multiple myeloma.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma*
  • Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells*
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Cytokines

Grants and funding

This study received funding from the Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC) (IG21744 to MM), Associazione Italiana contro le Leucemie-Linfomi e Mielomi ONLUS (AIL) (Sezione di Cuneo “Paolo Rubino”) (MM, FA), and Sanofi (Research-to-Care OncoHematology).