
Toll‐like receptors in prostate infection and cancer between bench and bedside
Author(s) -
Gambara Guido,
Cesaris Paola,
Nunzio Cosimo,
Ziparo Elio,
Tubaro Andrea,
Filippini Antonio,
Riccioli Anna
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.12055
Subject(s) - prostate cancer , cancer , innate immune system , immune system , toll like receptor , immunology , receptor , biology , prostate , cancer research , medicine
Toll‐Like receptors ( TLR s) are a family of evolutionary conserved transmembrane proteins that recognize highly conserved molecules in pathogens. TLR ‐expressing cells represent the first line of defence sensing pathogen invasion, triggering innate immune responses and subsequently priming antigen‐specific adaptive immunity. In vitro and in vivo studies on experimental cancer models have shown both anti‐ and pro‐tumoural activity of different TLR s in prostate cancer, indicating these receptors as potential targets for cancer therapy. In this review, we highlight the intriguing duplicity of TLR stimulation by pathogens: their protective role in cases of acute infections, and conversely their negative role in favouring hyperplasia and/or cancer onset, in cases of chronic infections. This review focuses on the role of TLR s in the pathophysiology of prostate infection and cancer by exploring the biological bases of the strict relation between TLR s and prostate cancer. In particular, we highlight the debated question of how reliable mutations or deregulated expression of TLR s are as novel diagnostic or prognostic tools for prostate cancer. So far, the anticancer activity of numerous TLR ligands has been evaluated in clinical trials only in organs other than the prostate. Here we review recent clinical trials based on the most promising TLR agonists in oncology, envisaging a potential application also in prostate cancer therapy.