Title:Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO): Biology and Target in Cancer Immunotherapies
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 9
Author(s):Senthamil R. Selvan, John P. Dowling, William K. Kelly and Jianqing Lin
Affiliation:Division of Solid Tumor, Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Keywords:Cancer immunotherapy, combination therapy, indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO), IDO inhibitors, immune tolerance.
Abstract:Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a heme-containing oxidoreductase
that catalyzes the initial and rate-limiting step in the breakdown of non-dietary
tryptophan. The biology and immunomodulatory role for IDO is discussed in this
review with a focus on its interaction with immune cells and its potential therapeutic
target in the clinic. IDO has been revealed to be a central regulator of immune
responses in a broad variety of physiological and pathological settings, mostly
serving as a multifaceted negative feedback mechanism, to self-regulate immune
responses. IDO is considered a therapeutic target in cancer and the use of IDO
inhibitors as single agent or in combination with other treatment modalities are under
active investigation.
