IL-17A in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most common malignant disease leading to death among women. IL (interleukin)-17A is the most well-studied member of the IL-17 family, and has been demonstrated to play a critical role in host defenses against various microbial pathogens, as well as against tissue inflammation. T-helper (Th)17 cells that produce interleukin (IL)-17A are of particular importance, because IL-17A exerts a wide variety of biological functions, particularly related to inflammation and the resultant carcinogenesis, as well as immune suppression in patients with cancer, and IL-17A-targeted therapy has been proven to be effective in the treatment of some autoimmune diseases. The pathogenic features of Th17 and IL-17A cells in cancer are still controversial, and Th17 cells appear to promote disease progression, as well as be present in the vicinity of many types of malignant diseases. In cancer patients, MDSC (myeloid-derived suppressor cells), one of the major immunosuppressive immature cells, and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) are reported to correlate each other and strongly connected to IL-17-driven inflammation and malnutrition. In the present review, the latest advances are presented about the basic features of IL-17A and Th17. The function of IL-17A has not been clarified especially in ovarian cancer. This review overview the basic features of IL-17A and the functions in ovarian cancer as well as in other malignant and non-malignant diseases. Increasing our understanding of the interactions between IL-17A and ovarian cancer could lead to new therapeutic strategies in oncology.