FAQs on Immunology (Lecture - 18) - Tumor Immunity

Question 1

1. What is tumor immunity?

Accepted Answer

Ans. Tumor immunity refers to the body's immune response against tumor cells. It involves the recognition and elimination of cancer cells by the immune system. This response can be mediated by various components of the immune system, including T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and immune checkpoint molecules.

Question 2

2. How does the immune system recognize tumor cells?

Accepted Answer

Ans. The immune system recognizes tumor cells through several mechanisms. One of the main ways is through the detection of antigens expressed on the surface of cancer cells. These antigens can be either tumor-specific antigens (TSAs), which are unique to cancer cells, or tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), which are also present on normal cells but are overexpressed or mutated in cancer cells. The immune system's ability to recognize these antigens triggers an immune response against the tumor cells.

Question 3

3. What are the different components of tumor immunity?

Accepted Answer

Ans. Tumor immunity involves the participation of various components of the immune system. These include cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which directly kill tumor cells, helper T cells, which support and regulate the immune response, B cells, which produce antibodies against tumor antigens, natural killer (NK) cells, which can directly kill tumor cells, and immune checkpoint molecules, which regulate the immune response and can be targeted for cancer immunotherapy.

Question 4

4. How can the immune response against tumors be enhanced?

Accepted Answer

Ans. There are several strategies to enhance the immune response against tumors. One approach is to use immune checkpoint inhibitors, which block inhibitory molecules expressed on immune cells, such as PD-1 or CTLA-4, leading to the activation of anti-tumor immune responses. Another strategy is to use cancer vaccines or adoptive cell therapy, where immune cells are engineered or stimulated to specifically target and kill tumor cells. Additionally, cytokines or immune stimulatory molecules can be used to boost immune responses against tumors.

Question 5

5. Can tumors evade the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Ans. Yes, tumors can develop various mechanisms to evade or suppress the immune system. They can downregulate the expression of tumor antigens, making them less visible to the immune system. Tumors can also upregulate immune checkpoint molecules, such as PD-L1, which bind to inhibitory receptors on immune cells and suppress their activity. Additionally, tumors can recruit immune-suppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, or tumor-associated macrophages, which create an immunosuppressive microenvironment around the tumor. These evasion strategies allow tumors to escape immune surveillance and promote their growth.

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