Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO): Biology and Target in Cancer Immunotherapies

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:

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.

Cite this article as:

Selvan R. Senthamil, Dowling P. John, Kelly K. William and Lin Jianqing, Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO): Biology and Target in Cancer Immunotherapies, Current Cancer Drug Targets 2016; 16 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568009615666151030102250