Fig. 7

The applications of autophagy for tumor immunotherapy. There is a complicated interaction between autophagy and immune system. Autophagy can enhance immune response by ensuring the inhibitory action of CTL, B cell, Mø, NKT and DC on tumor cells and the release of immunoreactive cytokines, like IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, TNF-α and IFN-γ, resulting in enhanced anti-tumor immunotherapy effects and repressed tumor development. In addition, autophagy can also reduce immune response by recruiting immunosuppressive Tregs and promoting IL-10 and TGF-β production, contributing to attenuated anti-tumor immunotherapy effects and accelerated tumor development