Cancer

Definition

Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled division and spread of abnormal cells within the body. It can disrupt normal immune system functions and evade immune responses.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cancer cells can evade the immune system by downregulating antigen presentation molecules like MHC class I.
2. Tumor antigens are abnormal proteins expressed by cancer cells that can be recognized by T cells.
3. Immunotherapy, such as checkpoint inhibitors, works by enhancing the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
4. Certain cancers can create an immunosuppressive microenvironment that protects them from immune attack.
5. CAR-T cell therapy involves modifying a patient's T cells to better recognize and kill cancer cells.

Review Questions

• How do cancer cells evade detection by the immune system?
• What role do tumor antigens play in cancer immunobiology?
• What is CAR-T cell therapy and how does it work?

Related terms

Tumor Antigen: Proteins or molecules expressed on tumor cells that are recognized by the immune system.

Checkpoint Inhibitors: Drugs that help release brakes on the immune system, enabling it to attack cancer cells more effectively.

CAR-T Cell Therapy: A treatment where T cells are engineered to specifically target and kill cancer cells.