 Androgens are known to play a key role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. This study found that androgens can also affect the immune system by regulating the production of interleukin-1-beta, IL-1-beta. When androgens are blocked through medical castration or surgical removal, IL-1-beta levels increase, which leads to the formation of immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells, MDSCs. These MDSCs then prevent the activation of cytotoxic T-cells, resulting in an immunosuppressive environment. The researchers found that blocking IL-1-beta with an antibody combined with medical castration and an immune checkpoint inhibitor could be more effective than either treatment alone at treating advanced prostate cancer. This article was authored by Dang Wang, Chaping Cheng, Sinyu Chen, and others.