REGULATORY T-CELLS IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

• Main Authors: Giovanni D'arena, Giovanni Rossi, Barbara Vannata, Silvia Deaglio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAGEPress Publications 2012-01-01
• Series: Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases
• Online Access: http://www.mjhid.org/article/view/10576

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify; line-height: 200%;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) constitute a small subset of cells that are actively involved in maintaining self-tolerance, in immune homeostasis and in antitumor immunity. They are thought to play a significant role in the progression of cancer and are generally increased in patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Their number correlates with more aggressive disease status and is predictive of the time to treatment, as well. Moreover, it is now clear that dysregulation in Tregs cell frequency and/or function may result in a plethora of autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosis, autoimmune lymphoproliferative disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. Efforts are made aiming to develop approaches to deplete Tregs or inhibit their function in either cancer and autoimmune disorders. </span></p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span>