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Immunology Final > Cancer > Flashcards

Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What is the #2 cause of death in the U.S. behind cardiovascular disease?

A

Cancer

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2
Q

What are the general causes of cancer?

A

Lifestyle, environmental pollutants, genetics, impaired immune surveillance

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3
Q

What is a major exception to the idea that once we are full grown that most cell proliferation ceases?

A

Skin cells and cells that line mucous membranes must be continually replaced due to wear and tear (must be carefully controlled)

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4
Q

What are the two basic types of control systems that can be disrupted when cancer develops?

A

1 systems that promote normal cell growth

2 safeguard systems that protect against uncontrolled cell growth

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5
Q

What is a proto-oncogene?

A

A particular gene that WHEN mutated can cause a cell to proliferate inappropriately

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6
Q

What is an oncogene?

A

MUTATED version of gene that has the potential to cause cancer

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7
Q

A mutation of which tumor suppressor protein is found commonly in most tumors?

A

p53

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8
Q

What normally occurs to cells if genetic damage due to mutation is severe?

A

Apoptosis

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9
Q

p53 is coded for by what tumor suppressor gene?

A

TP53 (anti-oncogene)

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10
Q

What usually happens to mice that lack p53?

A

Die of cancer within 6-7 months

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11
Q

What is the current estimation for how many mutations are required to produce most common cancers?

A

4-7

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12
Q

Why does cancer usually occur later in life?

A

Takes a relatively long time to accumulate multiple mutations (4-7, on average) to cause cancer

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13
Q

What types of cancers are more common in humans with weakened immune systems?

A

Lymphoma and virus-associated cancers

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14
Q

Karposi sarcomas are associated with which virus and condition?

A

HHV-8 and AIDS

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15
Q

What type of cancer is associated with HPV?

A

Cervical

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16
Q

What type of cancer is associated with hepatitis B (20%)?

A

Liver

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17
Q

It is estimated that what percentage of cancers are caused by viruses?

A

15-20%

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18
Q

What did most humans die of 200 years ago?

A

Infectious disease

19
Q

Mice deficient in what protein were more likely to develop tumors (primarily in the intestine) even while being raised in patogen free conditions?

A

RAG-2 protein

20
Q

What is the function of RAG-2 protein?

A

Necessary to assemble BRC and TCR

21
Q

In humans with cancer, higher counts of what kind of cell associated with the tumor are linked to longer survival rates?

A

Lymphocytes (B and T cells)

22
Q

CTLs are effective against what kind of cancers?

A

Cancerous blood cells

23
Q

Why aren’t CTLs effective against virus-associated tumors?

A

Due to hiding viruses which CTLs aren’t effective against

24
Q

Why aren’t CTLs effective against spontaneous tumors?

A

Traffic pattern issues
Conflict between self tolerance and surveillance
Unable to supply co-stimulation

25
Q

What kind of tumors make up the majority of cancers?

A

Spontaneous

26
Q

Why are CTLs effective against cancerous blood cells?

A

Traffic patterns of cancer cells in blood intersect with virgin T cells
Some cancerous blood cells express high levels of B7 (co-stimulation)

27
Q

Which are quick acting against cancer: macrophages or CTLs?

A

Macrophages

28
Q

How can hyperactivated macrophages kill certain types of cancers?

A

Release of TNF, preventing angiogenesis leading to tumor necrosis

29
Q

What benefit allows macrophages to intercept at an early stage?

A

Macrophages are typically located in tissues where most tumors occur

30
Q

What effect does abnormal expression of surface molecules on tumors have on macrophages?

A

Enables them to differentiate between cancer cells and normal cells

31
Q

How can natural killer cells affect cancer cells?

A

In vitro NK cells can destroy some cancer cells
NK cells target cells expressing low MHC I levels and unusual surface molecules
Quick acting
On call in blood (like neutrophils)

32
Q

What vaccines are used to prevent certain cancers?

A 
Hepatitis B (preventing liver cancer)
HPV (preventing cervical cancer)
33
Q

What types of HPV are implicated in 70% of all cervical cancer?

A

HPV-16 and HPV-18

34
Q

Which types of HPV are associated with genital warts?

A

HPV-6 and HPV-11

35
Q

Which HPV vaccine is directed against HPV-16, 18, 6, and 11?

A

Merck vaccine

36
Q

Which HPV vaccine is directed against HPV-16 and HPV-18/

A

GSK

37
Q

HPV vaccines are made from what?

A

Viral coat proteins

38
Q

What manufactured antibody enables T cells to more effectively attack cancer cells?

A

MPDL320A

39
Q

What protein does MPDL320A target?

A

PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1)

40
Q

Where is PD-L1 found, and what is its function?

A

On surface of many cancer cells; impairs the immune system’s ability to fight the disease

41
Q

What substance can be injected into a tumor to hyperactivate the macrophages to destroy the tumor?

A

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)

42
Q

The BCG vaccine is sometimes used to immunize (not always effectively) against what disease?

A

TB

43
Q

Overall, what two types of cells can provide surveillance against certain types of cancer cells?

A

NK cells and macrophages

44
Q

Why is a functioning immune system important in fighting cancer?

A

May reduce the frequency of metastasis or slow metastatic process once primary tumor has formed

Immunology Final (6 decks)

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