Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Co-Culture In Vitro Systems to Reproduce the Cancer-Immunity Cycle
Published on: June 7, 2024
[Oncoimmunology: some fundamental problems of cancer immunotherapy]
Abstract:
In this review we briefly discuss several central problems of modem oncoimmunology. We review the controversies surrounding the concept of immunological surveillance, as well as the problem of immunological tolerance to tumors. The discovery of tumor antigens has a great advance towards identification of possible therapeutic targets. However, antigen-specific vaccinations against cancer so far have a very limited use, mainly for prevention of virus-associated cancers, which is essentially based on anti-viral immune response. On the other hand, antibodies to cancer antigens are being widely used in cancer diagnostics, and there are remarkable examples of their therapeutic applications. The future opportunities in both theoretical and practical oncoimmunology will directly depend on further advances in basic science.
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Immunotherapy
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
