Tumor Immunology Flashcards
Cause of Cancer
Accumulated mutations in genes that ocntrol cell growth and death
What do carcinogens do?
Induce mutations into DNA
T or F. Typically a single genetic abnormality will lead to cancer.
F. Accumulations of mutations tend to lead to cancer cell development
Why are some individuals more prone to develop cancer (even with comparable lifestyles to others)
Inherited mutations in genes that control DNA stability or growth (Ex. BRCA1, BRCA2)
Size of average tumor when first visible on Xray?
At death of patient?
10^8
10^12
Describe characteristics of a malignant tumor
Malignant cells are more aggressive in growth
Spread to nearby tissues/different organs through lymph and BV
What is a carcinoma?
Epithelial Cell Tumor
What is a leukemia?
Tumors of circulating cells
What is a lymphoma?
Solid tumor in lymph node
What is a myeloma?
Tumor of Bone marrow cells
What is a sarcoma?
Tumor of Connective Tissue Cells
Viruses associated with human cancers?
Papillomavirus (Uterine Cervix) Hepatitis B Virus (Liver Cancer) Epstein Barr Virus (Burkitt's Lymphoma, B-Cell Lymphoproliferative disease) HTLV-1 (Adult T-cell Leukemia) HIV-1 (Kaposi's Sarcoma)
How might viruses induce proliferation?
Blocking P53 and Rb
Can tumor cells grow in another person?
Usually, No.
Yes if the other person is the same MHC haplotype
Four immune cells responsible for finding tumors
CD4, CD8, NK cells, and B cells
What do T and B cells target in cancer?
Tumor antigens that are differentially expressed by tumor cells and normal cells
What are tumor specific antigens?
Mutant peptide presented in cancer cells that is distinct from normal healthy cells
What are tumor-associated antigens?
- Antigens brought about by reactivation of embryonic genes
2. 10X or more overexpression of self proteins
Give an important example of a tumor-specific shared antigen
Melanoma antigen - 1
Found on melanomas and other transformed cells
Give an important example of a tissue-specific antigen found on normal and transformed cells.
Tyrosinase
Give two examples of Oncofetal antigens
Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) -- Colon Cancer Alpha-fetoprotein -- Liver and testis cancer