If tumor cells can be destroyed by the immune system, how does cancer develop? What does immunotherapy involve?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that cancer can develop when tumor cells evade the immune system's detection or destruction mechanisms.
2. Recognize that tumor cells may produce signals that suppress immune responses or create a microenvironment that is hostile to immune cells.
3. Learn that cancer cells can undergo mutations that help them avoid immune surveillance, such as downregulating antigen presentation or secreting immunosuppressive factors.
4. Explore the concept of immunotherapy, which involves stimulating or restoring the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
5. Identify different types of immunotherapy, such as checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines, which aim to enhance the immune response against tumor cells.

Key Concepts

Immune Surveillance

Immune surveillance is the process by which the immune system monitors and eliminates abnormal cells, including tumor cells. It involves the recognition of cancerous cells by immune cells, such as T cells and natural killer cells, which can identify and destroy these cells before they proliferate. However, cancer cells can develop mechanisms to evade this surveillance, leading to tumor growth.

Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment refers to the surrounding cells, signaling molecules, and blood vessels that interact with tumor cells. This environment can influence tumor growth and immune response, often providing support to cancer cells through immune suppression or promoting angiogenesis. Understanding this interplay is crucial for developing effective cancer treatments, including immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment approach that harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer. It includes various strategies, such as checkpoint inhibitors that enhance immune responses against tumors, CAR T-cell therapy that modifies patient T cells to target cancer, and vaccines that stimulate an immune response. Immunotherapy aims to improve the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.