W3 LECT 1: Immunology of cancer Flashcards
what is the tumour microenvironment TME?
The tumor microenvironment (TME) refers to the complex and dynamic ecosystem surrounding and infiltrating a tumor, which includes not only cancer cells but also a variety of other cell types, signaling molecules, and the extracellular matrix.
what are the key component of TME?
- immune cells (such as T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells)
- stromal cells (like fibroblasts)
- endothelial cells forming blood vessels
- various signaling molecules (cytokines, growth factors)
WHAT is the function of the TME?
- The interactions within the TME are critical for tumor growth, progression, and metastasis.
- Cancer cells can manipulate the TME to promote their survival and immune evasion, creating an environment that supports tumor development and resistance to therapies.
how do cells acquire genetics and epigenetic alterations?
-Carcinogens
* Infection:
-H pylori: Increased risk of
gastric cancer
-HPV: Increased risk of
cervical, oropharyngeal,
penile, vaginal cancer
inflammation in wound healing:
- In wound healing, inflammation is a controlled and beneficial response to tissue injury.
- It involves the recruitment of immune cells (like neutrophils and macrophages) to the injury site, which helps to eliminate pathogens, remove debris, and initiate tissue repair.
- This process is characterized by a well-orchestrated sequence of events: inflammation, tissue formation, and remodeling, ultimately leading to the restoration of normal tissue structure and function.
inflammation in cancer:
- Inflammation can be detrimental and is often chronic rather than acute.
- Cancer-related inflammation can arise from various sources, including persistent infections, environmental factors, and genetic mutations.
- This chronic inflammation creates a tumor-promoting environment through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors that support cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis.
- Furthermore, inflammatory cells in the tumor microenvironment can contribute to immune suppression, enabling cancer cells to evade immune detection and destruction.
- genetic mutations
- epigenetic changes
- tumour microenvironment
-chronic inflammation - immune invasion
- angiogenesis
- metabolic reprogramming
what are the processes of the immunoediting hypothesis?
- Elimination
- equilibrium
- escape
outline NK cells in brief?
- Characterised typically
CD56bright/dimCD16high/low - Balance – activating and
inhibitory receptors - NK cell induced lysis,
cytokine production for
immune modulation
function of nk cells?
NK cells can recognize and kill cells that are stressed, infected, or transformed (such as cancer cells) without the need for prior sensitization to specific antigens.
what do NK cells do in the TME?
- tumour recognition and killing thru downregulation of receptors
- supression in tme (impaired cytotoxicity)
- Interaction with Other Immune Cells
- Metabolic Challenges
- Potential for Therapeutic Targeting
- Prognostic Value
macrophages in tme?
- Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs)
- Phenotypic Plasticity
-Pro-Tumor Activities - Immune Modulation
- Interaction with Tumor Cells
- Therapeutic Targeting
- Prognostic Implications
t lymphocytes in the tme functions:
CTL:tom our cell lysiss
TH1:
TH2:
t- lymphocytes in the tme functions:
TH9:
TH17:
Treg:
outline the immunological synapse?
-Interface between
APC/target and
lymphocyte (SMAC)
* TCR
* Adhesion molecules
* Costimulatory
/Checkpoint molecules
- Spatiotemporal
engagement
