B Cells and Regulatory B Cells in Cancer Escape

In order to evade antitumor effector immune cells and metastasize, cancer often employs a diverse group of immune cells with suppressive and immunomodulatory functions. In this process, the role of regulatory B cells (Bregs) remains poorly understood despite their ability to modulate immune responses. The search for Bregs is complicated by the complexity of cancer, lack of unique markers, and functional overlap with B cells expressing suppressive factors. To date, cancer is shown to generate at least two types of Bregs, including tumor-evoked (t)Bregs and granzyme (GrB)⁺Bregs, although it may also use other Bregs that protect from autoimmunity.