The complement system in clinical oncology: Applications, limitations and challenges.

Abstract

The complement system, a key component of innate immunity, is involved in seemingly contradictory aspects of tumor progression and cancer therapy. It can act as an immune effector against cancer and modulate the antitumor activity of certain therapeutic antibodies, but it can also contribute to a tumor-promoting microenvironment. Understanding this dual role should lead to the development of better therapeutic tools, strategies for cancer treatment and biomarkers for the clinical management of cancer patients. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of the role of complement in cancer, focusing on how these findings are being translated into the clinic. We highlight the activity of therapeutic agents that modulate the complement system, as well as combination therapies that integrate complement modulation with existing therapies. We conclude that the role of complement activation in cancer is a rapidly evolving field with the potential to translate findings into new therapeutic strategies and clinically useful biomarkers.