IL11: A Specific Repressor of Tumor-Specific CD4(+) T Cells

CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1) cells have a key role in tumor immunity by producing effector cytokines that orchestrate the tumoricidal effects of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and macrophages and directly exert tumor growth control via the induction of tumor cell senescence and inhibition of angiogenesis. In this issue, Huynh and colleagues report a new role for IL11 in fostering tumor outgrowth by suppressing the effector mechanisms of intratumoral CD4+ Th1 cells. See related article by Huynh et al., p. 735.