Open Access

REVIEW

The role of IL-33 in immunotherapy for breast cancer: targets and signalling pathways

Fu Zhang^1,2, Miao Lin^1,2, Yuancong Jiang³, Fangjian Zhou^1,2,*

1 Department of General Surgery, The People’s Hospital of Yuhuan, Taizhou 317600, Zhejiang Province, China
2 Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Yuhuan Branch), Taizhou 317600, Zhejiang Province, China
3 Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China

* Corresponding Author: F. Zhou,

European Cytokine Network 2025, 36(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1684/ecn.2025.0500

Accepted 01 February 2025;

Abstract

Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a key member of the IL-1 family, plays a significant role in inflammation and cancer. Its classic receptors, ST2 and IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP), are predominantly expressed in immune cells such as T helper 2 (Th2) cells and mast cells. Recent studies have highlighted the involvement of IL-33 in breast cancer, demonstrating its ability to exert dual functional effects by modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses within the tumour microenvironment. However, the precise molecular mechanisms linking IL-33 to breast cancer pathogenesis and its potential as a target for molecularly targeted therapies remain incompletely understood. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of IL-33 in breast cancer immunotherapy.

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Keywords

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