Immune Checkpoint Proteins and Cancer Immunotherapy

The immune system plays a crucial role in preventing cancer through immune surveillance. People with immunodeficiency, such as those with HIV or organ transplant recipients treated with immunosuppressive drugs, have an increased risk of cancer development due to their weakened immune system.

Cancer cells avoid immune attack by down-regulating MHC class I molecules, which reduces antigen presentation to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. This allows cancer cells to evade recognition by the immune system.

Antigenic modulation refers to the lack of immunogenic antigens expressed on cancer cells, making them less recognizable by the immune system. This allows cancer cells to evade immune attack.

<p>Fibroblasts in tumors produce collagen, which creates a physical barrier (tumor nests) that prevents the interaction of immune cells with tumor cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Adoptive cellular therapy involves the ex vivo expansion and activation of autologous T cells, which are then re-infused into the patient to target cancer cells. This approach differs from traditional cancer immunotherapy strategies, which often rely on stimulating the immune system to produce an anti-tumor response.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Leukaemias and lymphomas are types of cancer that affect the immune system. The common causes of these cancers include genetic mutations, exposure to radiation or certain chemicals, and viral infections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Unleash pre-existing anticancer T cell responses and possibly triggers new anticancer T cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To generate chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T cells) that recognize and bind to specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To inhibit T cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Leukaemia originates in blood or bone marrow, while lymphoma forms a tumor in lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To remove unbound antibodies and only retain immune complexes containing the appropriate immunoglobulin components</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Monoclonal plasma cell disorder</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Due to the increased risk of genetic mutations during V(D)J recombination, somatic hypermutation, and class switch recombination</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It can cause mutations in proto-oncogenes, leading to cancer development</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It can lead to incorrect recombination, resulting in chromosomal translocations and mutations</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It increases the risk of chromosomal translocations and mutations that can lead to cancer development</p> Signup and view all the answers