T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3 as an emerging target for immunotherapy in cancer management

Akihiro Yoneda, Masahisa Jinushi

Research Center for Infection-associated Cancer, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

Abstract: Cancer-induced immunosuppression significantly impacts tumors, rendering them the ability to acquire aggressive and treatment-resistant phenotypes. The recent clinical success of drugs targeting the immunosuppressive machinery of tumors highlights the importance of identifying novel drugs that effectively augment antitumor immunity and elicit clinical remission in advanced tumors. T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3 (TIM-3) is a critical immunoregulatory molecule that links pattern recognition-mediated innate sensing with antigen-specific immune responses. Recent evidence has elucidated the potential utility of drugs targeting TIM-3 in inducing antitumor responses, particularly in synergy with conventional anticancer regimens. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview, as well as future perspectives, regarding the role of TIM-3 as an emerging target that may improve clinical responses for cancer patients.

Keywords: tumor immunoevasion, antibody, immunosuppression, antitumor response, TIM-3