1411-RelB/ILF2–GM-CSF Loop Sustains Cancer Immunosuppression

This research study identifies a specific biochemical signaling loop that drives prostate cancer’s ability to evade the immune system. The authors demonstrate that the interaction between two proteins, RelB and ILF2, stabilizes the expression of GM-CSF, a cytokine that recruits and activates myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). These MDSCs create an immunosuppressive environment by inhibiting the activity of anti-tumor T cells, effectively shielding the malignancy from natural defenses. Crucially, the study suggests that blocking the RelB/ILF2 complex can decrease MDSC populations and restore the efficacy of CD8+ T cells. These findings indicate that targeting this pathway could significantly improve the success rate of immune checkpoint blockade therapies in patients with advanced prostate cancer. The researchers validated these mechanisms through single-cell RNA sequencing, mouse models, and clinical samples from human patients.

References:

• Xu F, Li M, Zhang Y, et al. RelB/ILF2–GM-CSF loop sustains tumor–MDSC communication in prostate cancer immunosuppression[J]. Cell Death & Disease, 2026.