The mycobiome-immune axis: The next frontier in pancreatic cancer

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Aftab et al. identify a pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-33, that is released as a che-moattractant for type 2 immune cells in response to the intratumoral mycobiome. Depletion of fungi or deletion of IL-33 in cancer cells significantly decreases pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor progression and increases survival.

Automated summary

The study identifies IL-33, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, as a chemotactic factor released in response to intratumoral mycobiome that attracts type 2 immune cells. Depletion of fungi or deletion of IL-33 significantly decreases pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor progression and improves survival.