Toll样受体在肺癌中的研究进展

Research progress of Toll-like receptor in lung cancer

肺癌是目前全世界癌症死因的第一位。尽管治疗在不断进步,但预后仍然很差。Toll样受体(Toll-like receptors,TLRs)是一种模式识别受体,是非常重要的天然免疫分子。TLRs识别特异性分子以后能调节适应性免疫。通过TLRs激活免疫系统在起到抗肿瘤作用的同时,由于潜在的慢性炎症,又促进了肺癌的进程。越来越多的研究发现TLRs在肺癌中的功能及其分子机制,提示TLRs在肺癌发生、发展中具有重要作用。

Lung carcinoma is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis remains poor. Toll-like receptors play a key role in the innate immune system. The recognition of specific molecules by TLRs leads to the activation of the adaptive immune system. The exogenous activation of the immune system via TLRs could on one side be a strategy to fight cancer, but on the other exacerbate, a latent chronic inflammation, which in turn, would further favour lung carcinoma progression. Recently, evidence has been accumulated to illustrate the molecular mechanisms by which these TLRs are functioning, so that to provide insight into the functional roles they may play in tumorigenesis.