IL-17 Signaling Pathway Exhibits Dual Role in Inflammation and Cancer, Posing Therapeutic Challenges

The interleukin 17 (IL-17) signaling pathway is a central regulator in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases and tumors. While IL-17A is well-known for its pro-inflammatory effects, its complex dual role in immune responses, promoting both disease progression and potentially protective mechanisms, remains a significant area of investigation. Current therapeutic strategies targeting IL-17 have shown clinical promise, but their efficacy varies considerably across different patients and disease states, highlighting a critical gap in personalized treatment approaches.

This comprehensive review systematically discusses the biological functions of the IL-17 signaling pathway, synthesizing current knowledge on its complex roles in various diseases. The authors analyzed extensive literature to elucidate IL-17's involvement in promoting autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis, and its contribution to tumor development via immune escape in the tumor microenvironment. The review also critically evaluates challenges with existing IL-17-targeted therapies and outlines future research directions.

The review highlights that the IL-17 signaling pathway, particularly through IL-17A, exerts significant pro-inflammatory effects, making it a key driver in various inflammatory diseases. A central finding is the pathway's demonstrated dual role: it actively promotes the progression of autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis, where its inhibition has shown therapeutic benefits. > Simultaneously, the IL-17 pathway facilitates tumor development by orchestrating immune escape mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment, suggesting a complex interplay between inflammation and oncogenesis. Despite promising clinical potential for therapies targeting IL-17, the review underscores significant variability in treatment effects across different patients and disease states. This heterogeneity suggests that a deeper understanding of specific disease contexts and patient-specific factors is crucial for optimizing IL-17-targeted interventions. The authors emphasize that while the pathway's biological functions are increasingly understood, translating this knowledge into consistently effective and personalized therapies remains a major hurdle.