Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of immunotherapy in cancer treatment?

To help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. (correct)

To prevent the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.

To directly kill cancer cells.

To reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Which of the following is NOT a step in the development of metastatic cancer?

Inappropriate mitosis

Escape from apoptosis

Acquisition of a blood supply

Increased cell adhesion (correct)

How do cytotoxic T-cells primarily eliminate infected cells?

By producing cytokines that attract other immune cells.

By releasing antibodies that bind to the infected cells.

By inducing apoptosis in the infected cells. (correct)

By engulfing and digesting the infected cells.

What is the primary role of regulatory T-cells?

To suppress cytotoxic T-cells that recognize normal cellular proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What experimental evidence suggests that the immune system regulates tumorigenesis?

Mice with defective immune system genes have an increased rate of cancer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in cancer?

TILs could be recruited to either help or attack the tumor. Signup and view all the answers

Why might immune recognition of tumors often be a late step in oncogenesis?

Tumors may only trigger an inflammatory response after significant growth and spread. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism by which tumor cells can evade the immune system?

Increasing MHC protein expression Signup and view all the answers

What describes the basal lamina in relation to epithelial tissues?

A matrix of densely woven extracellular proteins separating epithelial tissues from connective tissues. Signup and view all the answers

How does tumor size impact the likelihood of metastasis?

Tumor size typically correlates with metastasis but isn't always determinative. Signup and view all the answers

What is the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)?

The transition where epithelium gains migratory and invasive traits while losing adhesion. Signup and view all the answers

What role do Snail and Twist genes play in cancer progression?

They function as transcription factors, influencing EMT and invasive properties. Signup and view all the answers

How do cancer cells manipulate healthy cells during metastasis?

By hijacking the neighboring cells' response mechanisms to aid in their invasion. Signup and view all the answers

What are matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) primarily responsible for?

Degrading the extracellular matrix for tumor invasion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of breaching the basal lamina in cancer development?

It marks a definitive transition from benign to malignant tumor characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

How do stromal cells aid in cancer progression?

By releasing growth factors that stimulate tumor growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of PDGF in tumor development?

To attract fibroblasts that produce ECM and enhance cell proliferation and migration. Signup and view all the answers

What is anoikis?

Cell death resulting from the loss of attachment. Signup and view all the answers

Why does inhibiting VEGF inhibit tumor progression?

VEGF is essential for the formation of new blood vessels that support tumor growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of tumor vasculature that distinguishes it from normal vasculature?

Tumor vasculature is often poorly organized and leaky. Signup and view all the answers

What is Avastin (bevacizumab)?

A humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern about prostate cancer screening?

It may lead to the diagnosis and treatment of cancers that would not have caused harm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of death in most cancer patients?

Metastatic cancers. Signup and view all the answers

How does Hepatitis C increase the risk of liver cancer?

Chronic infection causes inflammation in the liver, which is associated with cirrhosis and eventually liver cancer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in cancer?

Mutations in these genes significantly increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Signup and view all the answers

What is genomic instability?

An increased tendency for mutations and chromosomal abnormalities to occur in cells, a hallmark of cancer cells. Signup and view all the answers

How are stem cells protected from genomic instability?

They have mechanisms such as transit-amplifying divisions, tissue organization, apoptotic priming, expression of Mdr1 proteins, and bias in DNA replication. Signup and view all the answers

What is depurination?

A type of spontaneous DNA damage in which a purine base is lost from the DNA molecule. Signup and view all the answers

How can oxidative species contribute to cancer development?

They can generate DNA double-strand breaks and other types of DNA damage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the AMES test used for?

To identify potential carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Signup and view all the answers

What is loss of heterozygosity (LOH)?

The complete loss of one allele at a locus where the other allele remains. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the lungs being highly vascularized regarding metastatic cells?

Circulating tumor cells are more likely to get trapped in the small capillaries. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes extravasation?

The process of cancer cells leaving the bloodstream and invading a new tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What do micrometastases represent in cancer progression?

Small clusters of cancer cells that have not yet formed a visible tumor. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the 'seed and soil' model of metastasis?

Cancer cells can only survive in tissues they have an affinity for, akin to seeds germinating in appropriate soil. Signup and view all the answers

Why are bones frequently targeted by metastatic cancer cells?

The extracellular matrix in bones is rich in growth factors that support tumor growth. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key finding from Peyton Rous's discovery of the Rous Sarcoma Virus?

It was the first experimental proof that viruses can induce cancer. Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant challenge cancer cells encounter in the bloodstream?

They require specific tissue growth factors for proliferation. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the immune system play in the survival of cancer cells in the lungs?

Cancer cells can evade immune detection due to the inherent conditions of lung tissue. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Immunotherapy and Cancer Treatment

The primary function of immunotherapy in cancer treatment is to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.

Metastatic Cancer

Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites.
In order for cancer to metastasize, it must acquire a blood supply, escape from apoptosis, and have a reduced ability to adhere to adjacent cells (a loss of cell adhesion).

The Immune System's Role in Cancer

Cytotoxic T-cells are a type of immune cell that eliminates infected cells by inducing apoptosis.
Regulatory T-cells help to keep the immune system from reacting to normal cells and tissues by suppressing cytotoxic T-cells.
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can either help or attack a tumor.

Tumor Evasion of the Immune System

Tumors are able to evade the immune system by hiding their identity from immune cells, avoiding apoptosis, and inducing apoptosis in immune cells.

Stromal Cells and Cancer Progression

Stromal cells are cells found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tissues.
Stromal cells contribute to cancer progression by suppressing the immune response and releasing growth factors that stimulate tumor growth.
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a growth factor that attracts fibroblasts, which produce ECM.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels to support tumor growth is called angiogenesis.
Tumor cells secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into the surrounding ECM, which then stimulates the growth of blood vessels.
VEGF binds to receptors on endothelial cells, triggering a cascade of cellular responses.

Avastin (Bevacizumab)

Avastin is a humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF.
Binding VEGF blocks its ability to stimulate the growth of blood vessels.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer screening is controversial as it may lead to the diagnosis and treatment of cancers that would not have caused harm.

The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

EMT is a process that occurs normally during wound healing and development.
In cancer, EMT allows epithelial cells to lose their cell-cell adhesion and gain migratory and invasive properties, allowing the cancer cells to become metastatic.

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs)

MMPs are enzymes that degrade the ECM, facilitating tumor cell invasion.

The "Seed and Soil" Model of Metastasis

The "seed and soil" model of metastasis suggests that cancer cells (seeds) will only grow in a suitable environment (soil).

Viruses and Cancer

The discovery of the Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) provided the first experimental evidence that a virus could cause cancer.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Cancer and Genetics

Mutations in the tumor suppressor genes TP53, APC, and RB1 are frequently found in cancer.
Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

Genomic Instability

Genomic instability is an increased tendency for mutations and chromosomal abnormalities to occur in cells.
Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer cells and can be caused by a variety of factors, including environmental exposures and intrinsic cellular mechanisms.

AMES Test

The AMES test is used to identify potential carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).
It uses a strain of bacteria that is defective in a gene required for histidine synthesis.

Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH)

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is the loss of one copy of a gene, which can be a tumor suppressor gene.
LOH can occur as a result of mutations or deletions.

Oxidative Species and Cancer Development

Oxidative species are reactive molecules that contain oxygen.
Oxidative species can damage DNA and contribute to cancer development.

Environmental Exposures and Cancer

Environmental exposures such as smoking, air pollution, and radiation can contribute to cancer development.
Substances that are known to cause cancer in humans or animals are called carcinogens.

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Description

Explore the critical role of immunotherapy in cancer treatment through the understanding of the immune system's interaction with cancer cells. This quiz highlights processes such as metastasis, immune evasion, and the functions of immune cells in combating tumors. Test your knowledge on cancer immunology and the mechanisms involved in modern cancer therapies.