Cancer immunology Flashcards
What is the cancer immunosurvelialnce hypothesis
the idea that the immune system continuously monitors and eliminates emerging tumour cells
What are the 3 phases of cancer immunology
Elimination ,equilibrium and escape
What are tumour associated antigens (TAA)
Antigens expressed by tumours but not rarely by normal cells ,including cancer testits antigens ,differentiation antigens, oncofetal antigens and neoantigens
Give an exampke of oncofetal antigens
Carcinoembroyonic antigen (CEA) or alpha fetaproteins (AFP)
How do tumours evade immune responses
down regulating mhc 1
secreting immunosupressive cytokines
recruiting supressive immune cells
inducing immune checkpoints
What are the key inhibitory receptors trageted in cancer immunotherapy
CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1
What is the role of NK cells in cancer immunity
NK cells recognize and kill tumour cells that lack MHC class 1 expression
What is CART therpay
A personalised immunotherpay where T cells are genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors targeting tumor antigens
Name a monoclonal antibody used inn cancer treatment and its target
Trastuzumab(herceptin) targets HER2 in breast cancer
How do immune checkpoint inhibitors work
They block inhibitory signals to enhance t cell activation and attack on tumours
What are myeloid derived suppresor cells
Immune cells that promote tumour growth by depressing T cell response and producing immunosuppressive factors
What is the difference between TSAs (Tumor specific antigens )and TAA(tumour associated antigens
Tsa are unique to tumour cells ,while TAAs are also found in some normal tissue
What is an example of cancer/testis antigen
A MAGE family antigens
What is the function of PD-L1 in tumour immune evasion
A PD-L1 bind to T cells to inhibit their activity and prevent immune attack
What are future directions in cancer immunotherapy
Personalised neoantigens vaccines
combination therapies
targeting immune checkpoints like LAG3 and TIM3
