The Tumour Microenvironment Flashcards
1
Q
What are most cancers derived from?
A
Epithelial cells
2
Q
Why are most cancers derived from epithetial cells?
A
- Exposed to toxic substances
- Divide constantly to replace lost cells
- Normally migrate during embryonic development and in response to wounding
3
Q
What do fibroblasts do?
A
- Make and organise connective tissue
- Create new extracellular matrix to support other cell types
- Contact to pull sides of wound together
4
Q
Where are normal fibroblasts produced?
A
In extracellular matrix
5
Q
How do cancer-associated fibroblasts form?
A
- Cancer is recognised by body as a wound
- Tissue resident fibroblasts are modified by factors secreted by cancer cells or recruited from other tissues
6
Q
Are cancer associated fibroblasts mutated?
A
No
7
Q
How do cancer associated fibroblasts promote cancer?
A
- Produce growth factors and cytokines
- Recruit endotheial cells, forming blood vessels
- Alter extracellular matrix in tumour promoting cancer spreading
8
Q
What growth factors important to cancer do cancer associated fibroblasts produce?
A
- TGF-β
- EGF
- VEGF
9
Q
How do tumour associated macrophages promote cancer?
A
- Promote inflammation
- Promote cancer cell growth
- Suppress immune responses to cancer cells
- Recruit endothelial cells, forming blood vessels
10
Q
How are tumour associated macrophages formed?
A
- Either tissue resident or derived from blood monocytes
11
Q
What do macrophages require to proliferate?
A
CSF-1
12
Q
How do cancer cells promote macrophage proliferation?
A
They produce CSF-1
13
Q
What T cells are involved in cancer?
A
- Cytotoxic T cells
- Regulatory T cells
14
Q
What drives T cell proliferation?
A
Cytokines
15
Q
How do T cells promote cancer?
A
- Regulatory T cells and cancer cells express inhibitors of Cytotoxic T cell responses
- Turn down cytotoxic T cell responses
