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Targeting FOXP3+ regulatory T cells: Divergent Strategies in Cancer Immunotherapy and Transplantation


Authors : Naveen Thalari; Yenumula Lavanya Lahari; Dr. Nizamuddin N. D.; Neelam Amrutha; Dr. Govardhan M.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/y55uthzv

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yfv3y7t3

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar1137

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Abstract : Tregs, or FOXP3 regulatory T cells, help maintain the balance of the immune system by preventing unnecessary or potentially harmful immune responses. They are essential for preserving immune tolerance, but the outcomes differ based on the illness. Tregs frequently accumulate in large quantities in cancer, especially in inflammatory tumor environments, where they inhibit the activity of cytotoxic immune cells that would kill cancer cells. Tumors can grow, evade immune control, and resist treatment in a safe environment created by this suppression. As a result, the focus of cancer treatments is shifting increasingly toward reducing or modulating the activity of Tregs within tumors. This can be done by using antibodies to kill Tregs, blocking chemokine signals, targeting their metabolism, using antisense techniques, or using methods that only work inside the tumor. Transplantation, on the different hand, is dependent on raising Treg activity to help the body accept organs to organ donors. Scientists are researching into ways to promote long-term graft tolerance while reducing off the need for broad immunosuppressive drugs. These include expanding Tregs outside the body, stabilizing them, or engineering them with specific TCRs or CARs. Both fields use different strategies, but they both have problems like keeping FOXP3 stable, making sure safety without lowering overall immunity, and making sure targeting is accurate.

Keywords : FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells, Immune Tolerance, Cytotoxic, Chemokine Signals, Graft Tolerance.

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Tregs, or FOXP3 regulatory T cells, help maintain the balance of the immune system by preventing unnecessary or potentially harmful immune responses. They are essential for preserving immune tolerance, but the outcomes differ based on the illness. Tregs frequently accumulate in large quantities in cancer, especially in inflammatory tumor environments, where they inhibit the activity of cytotoxic immune cells that would kill cancer cells. Tumors can grow, evade immune control, and resist treatment in a safe environment created by this suppression. As a result, the focus of cancer treatments is shifting increasingly toward reducing or modulating the activity of Tregs within tumors. This can be done by using antibodies to kill Tregs, blocking chemokine signals, targeting their metabolism, using antisense techniques, or using methods that only work inside the tumor. Transplantation, on the different hand, is dependent on raising Treg activity to help the body accept organs to organ donors. Scientists are researching into ways to promote long-term graft tolerance while reducing off the need for broad immunosuppressive drugs. These include expanding Tregs outside the body, stabilizing them, or engineering them with specific TCRs or CARs. Both fields use different strategies, but they both have problems like keeping FOXP3 stable, making sure safety without lowering overall immunity, and making sure targeting is accurate.

Keywords : FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells, Immune Tolerance, Cytotoxic, Chemokine Signals, Graft Tolerance.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - March - 2026

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