What is the relevance of FoxP3 in the tumor microenvironment and cancer outcomes?

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) transcription factor plays critical roles in controlling immune responses and cancer progression in different cancers. FoxP3 expression within the tumor microenvironment (TME) may influence clinical outcomes negatively or positively, and it could play dual roles in cancer, either by promoting or inhibiting tumor development and progression. Some studies reported that high levels of FoxP3 could be associated with tumor progression and worse prognosis, while others reported contradictory results.

Areas covered

In this special report, we present a brief account on the role and function of FoxP3 in the TME, and its contribution to the clinical outcomes of cancer patients. Importantly, we give insights on the potential factors that could contribute to different clinical outcomes in cancer patients.

Expert opinion

Different studies showed that FoxP3 expression can be associated with bad prognoses in cancer patients. However, FoxP3 could have opposing roles by enhancing cancer progression or regression. Location and expression of FoxP3 in T cells or tumor cells can have different impacts on cancer prognoses. Different factors should be considered to establish FoxP3 as a more robust prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for enhancing anti-tumor immunity and improving clinical outcomes of cancer patients.

KEYWORDS:

• FoxP3
• prognosis
• tumor microenvironment (TME)
• cancer
• T regulatory cells
• Tregs

Article highlights

• High levels of FoxP3⁺ Tregs in some cancers are associated with poor prognosis due to their immunosuppressive properties.

• FoxP3 could be a potential biomarker for predicting prognosis in various cancers.

• FoxP3⁺ Tregs can manipulate tumor immune microenvironment and suppress anti-tumor immune response.

• FoxP3 have different effects on cancer prognoses, depending on different factors

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.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.