The Role of Inflammatory Cell Infiltration in Urogenital Cancers

Abstract

The urogenital cancers comprehend a group of cancer subtypes including bladder, kidney, prostate, uterus, ovary, testis, penis, vulva, and vagina and comprise a heterogeneous tumor subgroup, with specific characteristics according to each anatomical location. Among these tumor subtypes, a group of tumors is well recognized to be immunogenic and stimulates the immune system (including bladder and kidney). On the other hand, some tumor subtypes, such as prostate cancer, are considered a tumor group with low immune system stimulation and present low infiltration of inflammatory cells. The infiltration of inflammatory cells is one of the most important steps in recognition of cancer cells by the immune system. However, for different reasons, some cancer subtypes do not stimulate inflammatory cell infiltration. This step is important in antitumor immunologic response and also is directly related to the development of new therapies. Initially, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was performed using immunohistochemistry and morphological aspects. However, CIBERSORTx consortium has provided a comprehensive analysis of molecular aspects and more precise information regarding the role of the immune system and different cancer subtypes. Therefore, this review aimed to update the most recent literature regarding inflammatory cell infiltration in urogenital cancers.