The implication of pyroptosis in cancer immunology: Current advances and prospects

Wei Liu; Jinwu Peng; Muzhang Xiao; Yuan Cai; Bi Peng; Wenqin Zhang; Jianbo Li; Fanhua Kang; Qianhui Hong; Qiuju Liang; Yuanliang Yan; Zhijie Xu

doi:10.1016/j.gendis.2022.04.019

The implication of pyroptosis in cancer immunology: Current advances and prospects

Genes Dis. 2022 May 12;10(6):2339-2350. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.04.019. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Wei Liu^{1

2}, Jinwu Peng^{1

3}, Muzhang Xiao⁴, Yuan Cai¹, Bi Peng¹, Wenqin Zhang³, Jianbo Li³, Fanhua Kang³, Qianhui Hong³, Qiuju Liang⁵, Yuanliang Yan⁵, Zhijie Xu^{1

3

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.
² Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Hospital University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
³ Department of Pathology, Xiangya Changde Hospital, Changde, Hunan 415000, China.
⁴ Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.
⁵ Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.
⁶ National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.

Abstract

Pyroptosis is a regulated cell death pathway involved in numerous human diseases, especially malignant tumors. Recent studies have identified multiple pyroptosis-associated signaling molecules, like caspases, gasdermin family and inflammasomes. In addition, increasing in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the significant linkage between pyroptosis and immune regulation of cancers. Pyroptosis-associated biomarkers regulate the infiltration of tumor immune cells, such as CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, thus strengthening the sensitivity to therapeutic strategies. In this review, we explained the relationship between pyroptosis and cancer immunology and focused on the significance of pyroptosis in immune regulation. We also proposed the future application of pyroptosis-associated biomarkers in basic research and clinical practices to address malignant behaviors. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms and biological functions of pyroptosis is critical for immune response and cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords: Cancer immunology; Immune response; Immunotherapy; Inflammasomes; Pyroptosis.

Publication types

Review