TNF-β +252 A>G polymorphism and susceptibility to cancer

HVEM network signaling in cancer

Somatic mutations in cancer cells may influence tumor growth, survival, or immune interactions in their microenvironment. The tumor necrosis factor receptor family member HVEM (TNFRSF14) is frequently mutated in cancers and has been attributed a tumor suppressive role in some cancer contexts. HVEM functions both as a ligand for the lymphocyte checkpoint proteins BTLA and CD160, and as a receptor that activates NF-κB signaling pathways in response to BTLA and CD160 and the TNF ligands LIGHT and LTα. BTLA functions to inhibit lymphocyte activation, but has also been ascribed a role in stimulating cell survival. CD160 functions to co-stimulate lymphocyte function, but has also been shown to activate inhibitory signaling in CD4⁺ T cells. Thus, the role of HVEM within diverse cancers and in regulating the immune responses to these tumors is likely context specific. Additionally, development of therapeutics that target proteins within this network of interacting proteins will require a deeper understanding of how these proteins function in a cancer-specific manner. However, the prominent role of the HVEM network in anti-cancer immune responses indicates a promising area for drug development.

Context-dependent roles for lymphotoxin-β receptor signaling in cancer development

The LTα1β2 and LIGHT TNF superfamily cytokines exert pleiotropic physiological functions through the activation of their cognate lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR). Interestingly, since the discovery of these proteins, accumulating evidence has pinpointed a role for LTβR signaling in carcinogenesis. Early studies have shown a potential anti-tumoral role in a subset of solid cancers either by triggering apoptosis in malignant cells or by eliciting an anti-tumor immune response. However, more recent studies provided robust evidence that LTβR signaling is also involved in diverse cell-intrinsic and microenvironment-dependent pro-oncogenic mechanisms, affecting several solid and hematological malignancies. Consequently, the usefulness of LTβR signaling axis blockade has been investigated as a potential therapeutic approach for cancer. Considering the seemingly opposite roles of LTβR signaling in diverse cancer types and their key implications for therapy, we here extensively review the different mechanisms by which LTβR activation affects carcinogenesis, focusing on the diverse contexts and different models assessed.