Autophagy has opposite effects on hepatocarcinogenesis depending on whether it occurs before or after its onset. Autophagy prevents the initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis by suppressing oxidative stress and DNA damage. However, it also inhibits cell death and the expression of tumor suppressors to promote tumor progression once hepatocarcinogenesis has been initiated.

Recently, we reported the accumulation of CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) within the tumor mass of patients bearing liver cancer. Tumor-infiltrating Tregs (TiTregs) are active and potent suppressors of antitumor immunity. Importantly, treatment with GITRL reduced the immunosuppression mediated by TiTregs.

Recent reports have demonstrated that specific tumor suppressors are important for both maintaining hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) quiescence and preventing leukemia development, suggesting a connection between these two activities. Matsuoka and colleagues (pp. 986-991) have further illustrated this theme by demonstrating that inactivation of the tumor suppressor Fbxw7 leads to HSC depletion by ...