Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical carcinoma harbour highly increased numbers of Foxp3+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T-cells

Active immune suppression by tumors and premalignant lesions supports malignant growth and limits the effect of immune based therapies. Reduction of MHC-mediated antigen presentation or release of immunosuppressive cytokines are common immune escape strategies in cancer, in addition there is a rapidly growing body of evidence that utilization of regulatory T-cells for inactivation of tumor specific cytotoxic T-cells is an accessory widespread and important key mechanism for active immune suppression by cancer. During the last two years several relevant preclinical studies have been published, which show that ina…