A bibliometric analysis of IL-35 research from 2009 to 2018

Background Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a recently discovered cytokine that plays a role in immune suppression and has therefore been the subject of a great deal of research. A bibliometric analysis of the global research concerning IL-35, however, is rare. Objectives The aim of this research was to assess the international scientific output of IL-35 research and explore its hotspots and frontiers from 2009 to 2018 by bibliometric analysis. Methods Publications about IL-35 research from 2009 to 2018 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Citespace V was used to analyze years, journals, countries, research institutions, areas of exploration, research hotspots, and trends of publication. Results We retrieved a total of 416 publications and observed a trend of publications increasing over the past decade. Original articles (351) were the most frequently occurring document type. The largest number of publications belonging to one country and one institution, respectively, was China (202) and Tianjin Medical University (17). Trending keywords may indicate frontier topics, including “infectious tolerance,” “autoimmune,” and “central nervous system.” Conclusion This study provides valuable information on the study of IL-35 so that researchers may identify new research fields.

CD4+ T-helpers in TCR-dependent tumor immunosurveillance and T-cell based adoptive transfer immunotherapy: are they really that helpful?

In this brief review the advances and hurdles of the modern-day ACT (adoptive cell transfer) immunotherapy of cancer are discussed, with the focus on the positive or negative role of CD4+ T helper lymphocytes as one of major constituents of oncologic patient-administered CIK (cytokine-induced killers) lymphocyte culture. The beneficial role of CD4+ T helpers in adoptively-transferred lymphocyte culture is considered, questioned and being put under doubt. “Infectious tolerance” and tumor “immune avoidance” phenomena are described, emphasizing on their dramatic implications for cancer ACT therapy. The ways to circumvent apparent undesired effects of CD4+ T helpers elevated presence in CIK bulk mass are discussed, such as complete removal of CD4 -positive cells, along with a less radical measure, which is depletion of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regulatory lymphocytes from bulk CIK culture.