Terms Flashcards
What are Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs)?
A class of drugs used in cancer treatment to enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells
ICIs block specific proteins called immune checkpoints that cancer cells exploit to evade immune attack.
What is PD-1?
A receptor found on T cells that suppresses the immune response when binding to its ligands (PD-L1 or PD-L2)
Cancer cells often express PD-L1, turning off T cells.
What do drugs targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 do?
Prevent the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, restoring T-cell activity
Examples include pembrolizumab and nivolumab.
What is CTLA-4?
Another checkpoint on T cells that downregulates immune activity
Blocking CTLA-4 (e.g., with ipilimumab) promotes a stronger immune attack on cancer cells.
Define ligand.
A molecule that binds to a specific receptor, triggering a response within the cell
An example is the ligand for PD-1.
What is intestinal microflora?
The community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that live in the gut of living organisms
Intestinal Microflora = Microbes in the gut.
What are intestinal microflora regulators?
Factors and mechanisms that influence the composition and state of microorganisms in the gut
What is tumor immunotherapy?
A type of cancer treatment that leverages the body’s immune system to fight cancer
It stimulates or enhances the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells.
What is resveratrol?
A natural compound belonging to polyphenols, found in red grapes, berries, peanuts, and dark chocolate
Known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties.
Define polyphenol.
Naturally occurring compounds found in plants, known for their antioxidant properties
Found in foods like fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, and wine.
What is the immune microenvironment?
The environment where immune cells reside and interact with other cells, molecules, and structures
What is 16S sequencing?
A method used to study the bacteria in the gut by analyzing the 16S rRNA gene
Helps identify which bacteria are present and their proportions.
What is metabolomic analysis?
The study of small molecules (metabolites) in a sample, like blood plasma
Analyzing metabolites helps understand how the body or cells are functioning.
What is plasma?
The liquid part of blood without the blood cells, containing water, proteins, nutrients, hormones, and waste products
What is PGD2?
A signaling molecule involved in inflammation and immune responses that helps attract CD8+ T cells to tumors
Boosts the immune attack on cancer cells.
What does DP1 mediate?
The effects of PGD2, promoting the infiltration of CD8+ T cells into tumors
True or False: PBMCs stand for Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.
True
What types of cells are included in PBMCs?
Lymphocytes and monocytes
Lymphocytes include T cells, B cells, and NK cells.
What is thawing in biological contexts?
The process of carefully warming a frozen biological sample to a usable state without damage
What is cell culture?
The process of growing and maintaining specific cells under controlled conditions in the laboratory
Cells are placed in a nutrient-rich solution.
Define cell line.
A group of cells grown in the lab from one particular cell that can keep dividing
What is the Bxpc3 cell line?
A specific human pancreatic cancer cell line derived from a patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma
What is the Panc02 cell line?
A mouse pancreatic cancer cell line commonly used in cancer research
Induced in mice with a chemical carcinogen.
What is fetal bovine serum (FBS)?
A nutrient-rich liquid derived from the blood of fetal cows, used as a supplement in cell culture media
What is the purpose of penicillin-streptomycin in cell culture?
To prevent contamination by bacteria
Penicillin targets Gram-positive bacteria; streptomycin targets Gram-negative bacteria.
What is the spontaneous pancreatic cancer mouse model (KPC)?
Genetically engineered mice that develop pancreatic cancer naturally without external tumor implantation
What are NCG mice?
NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice, with a severely compromised immune system, ideal for studying human immune responses and cancer therapies
