Toll-like receptors targeting technology for the treatment of lymphoma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The crucial role of Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) in innate and adaptive immune systems is well discussed in the literature. In cancer, TLRs act as a double-edged sword that can promote or suppress tumor growth.

Areas covered: In this article, the authors uncover the potential role of TLRs in lymphomas, which are cancers related to the lymphatic system and blood cells. TLRs are de facto inflammation-inducing receptors that can either worsen disease or ameliorate lymphoma treatment. From this perspective, the usage of TLRs to modulate the immune system toward lymphoma regression is desirable. Various strategies have been used so far, and novel ways are being sought out to cure lymphoma.

Expert opinion: TLR ligands have successfully been used to improve patient health; however, these receptors must be finely tuned to further optimize therapy. For a better outcome, novel specific ligands, improved pharmacodynamics, and unique targets should be discerned. Ligands with conjugated molecules, nanoparticles, and targeted drug delivery can highly optimize the therapy for lymphoma with various etiologies.

KEYWORDS:

• B-cell receptor
• cancer therapy
• ligand
• lymphoma
• Toll-like receptor

Article highlights

• Lymphoma is a proliferative disorder that mainly affects blood cells and these cells are vital for the immune system by expressing TLRs

• TLRs act as a double-edged sword regarding tumor progression as well as regression in lymphoid malignancies

• TLRs ability to enhance tumor antigen presentation has rendered them as potential therapeutic agents

• TLR ligands with tumor-promoting properties should be carefully utilized for therapeutic purposes

• Therapeutic efficacy can be improved through various mechanisms associated with TLR biological processes

• In cancer, recurrence has several causes and is a major problem. To completely eradicate cancer cells, it is imperative to treat patients with a combination of drugs. Combinatorial therapy has a higher chance to suppress the disease and prevent its recurrence.

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Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Mid-Career Researcher Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea, funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (NRF-2015R1A2A2A09001059), and by a grant from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (HI14C1992). This work was also partially supported by a grant from the Priority Research Centers Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF 2012-0006687).