Abstract 1489: Basal cell carcinomas express functional indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) which may confer immunoprotection
April 2010
in “
Cancer Research
”
TLDR Basal cell carcinomas may use IDO to protect themselves from the immune system.
The study investigated the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and its potential role in conferring immune protection to the tumors. Researchers found significant upregulation of IDO-1 and IDO-2 in BCCs compared to non-lesional skin, with a 12.5- and 19.1-fold increase, respectively. The study involved 10 human nodular BCC samples and used real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot techniques. The co-localization of IDO with keratin 17 and increased L-kynurenine production in BCC cultures suggested functional IDO synthesis. The findings indicated that BCCs might use IDO to exhibit immune privilege characteristics, and disrupting this system could be a strategy for BCC regression.
