Innate Immunity Research Group
Research topics
Cancer is a global public health threat. Tumor development often occurs in barrier tissues such as the skin, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract, which play a key role in protecting the body against pathogens.
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) reside precisely in these tissues. These lymphocytes, despite lacking the classical antigen receptors characteristic of T and B cells, play a crucial role in the body’s immune defense. ILC2, one of the main ILC subtypes, is particularly interesting in the context of skin cancers, especially melanoma.
The dual role of ILC2 in the tumor microenvironment
ILC2 secrete a number of cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which are essential for regulating immune responses. These cytokines modulate inflammation and influence the activity of other cells, such as eosinophils, which are involved in eliminating cancer cells.
Studies indicate that ILC2 may have a dual role in the tumor microenvironment: on one hand, they support antitumor immunity, but on the other, they may promote tumor progression by contributing to immunosuppression (Wagner et al., Trends in Cancer, 2017). Understanding these complex mechanisms is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies.
Interactions between ILC2 and melanoma microenvironment cells
In our research, we focus on understanding how ILC2 interact with cells of the tumor microenvironment, particularly in the context of melanoma. We have shown that ILC2 can recruit eosinophils, which then participate in the elimination of cancer cells.
However, tumor cells secrete metabolic by-products that suppress ILC2 activity, leading to tumor progression (Wagner and Koyasu, Trends Immunol, 2019; Wagner et al., Cell Rep, 2020). There is a need to further investigate the interactions between ILC2 and tumor microenvironment cells in order to understand how these interactions change in response to tumor-derived signals.
Therapeutic potential of ILC2 in cancer immunotherapy
From a therapeutic perspective, ILC2 represent a promising target in cancer treatment, particularly melanoma (Wagner and Koyasu, Trends Cancer, 2022). The use of genetically modified ILC2 in adoptive cell therapy may result in a stronger antitumor response, independent of the immunosuppressive mechanisms present within the tumor microenvironment. Research into the application of ILC2 in cancer immunotherapy is becoming increasingly promising and may lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of skin cancers.
Techniques such as gene editing may enable the enhancement of ILC2 function, allowing these cells to more effectively combat cancer cells, regardless of the immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment. Research on the use of ILC2 in cancer immunotherapy is becoming increasingly promising and may lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of skin cancers.
ILC2 biomarkers as a component of personalized therapy
Moreover, the search for new biomarkers that would allow monitoring of ILC2 activity within the tumor microenvironment may represent an important step toward developing personalized therapies that more effectively address the individual characteristics of a given tumor.
In the context of melanoma, which is characterized by high biological heterogeneity, understanding the mechanisms that influence ILC2 activity and their interactions with other cells in the tumor microenvironment may contribute to the development of more effective immunotherapies that reshape the dynamics of tumor progression.