Interplay between immune cells in lung cancer: beyond T lymphocytes

Conclusive evidence has demonstrated that the immune system plays an instrumental role in preventing or promoting the development and progression of lung cancer. Progressively growing tumors escape immune control through a wide variety of mechanism which include: (I) secretion of immunosuppressive factors; (II) expression of immunosuppressive and anti-phagocytic molecules; (III) modulation of local and systemic metabolism; and (IV) recruitment and activation of host immunosuppressive cells that promote tolerance to tumors (1).