Molecular links between allergy and cancer [06.12.22]
Immunotherapy plays an important role in prolonging survival of patients with rapidly fatal cancers, which is probably the reason why these therapies position themselves as the first line for many cancer indications. In this context, focusing on possible associations between cancer and allergy, as well as the relations between tumors and immunity mediated by IgE and cytokines, may be useful to develop immunotherapies for cancer control. Histamine in particular is associated with tumor-promoting effects and has come into focus in recent years. Since high histamine levels can dampen immunotherapy responses, antihistamines can be considered as possible adjuvant agents for combinatorial immunotherapy. In this review, Axel Lorentz and team give an overview on molecular links between allergies and cancer.
Figure 1 from the review: Stages of tumor development (A) and type 1 allergic reaction (B).
Original Article
Axel Lorentz, Sabrina Bilotta, Mehtap Civelek (2022) Molecular links between allergy and cancer,
Trends in Molecular Medicine, Volume 28, Issue 12, Pages 1070-1081, ISSN 1471-4914, doi.org/10.1016/j.molmed.2022.06.003.
(Special issue: Comorbidities)
Highlights
More and more people worldwide are suffering from allergies or cancer; allergies are triggered by hypersensitivity reactions of the immune system, while hyposensitivity of the immune system can lead to tumorigenesis.
Epidemiologic studies provide controversial results regarding the relationship between allergies and cancer. Depending on cancer models or cancer types, the cancerogenic mechanisms can be promoted or inhibited by allergy-associated mediators such as histamine, IL-4, IL-33, IgE, or eosinophils.
IL-4 has been reported to inhibit tumor development by activating natural killer (NK) cells, and IgE has been described to promote tumor immunosurveillance dependent on cytotoxic T cells, while the role of IL-33 or eosinophils appears controversial.
Histamine receptor 1 was found to promote the pathogenesis of several cancer types. Since high histamine levels can dampen immunotherapy responses, antihistamines can be considered as possible adjuvant agents for combinatorial immunotherapy.
More Information on the Authors
 | Prof. Dr. Axel LorentzInstitute Nutritional Medicine and PreventionT +49 711 459 24391 Research Group Mast Cells |
 | Sabrina BilottaT +49 711 459 24393 E sabrina.bilotta@uni-hohenheim.de |
 | Dr. Mehtap CIVELEK |
