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Natural innate and adaptive immunity to cancer

Matthew D Vesely1, Michael H Kershaw, Robert D Schreiber

  • 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.

Annual Review of Immunology
|January 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The immune system

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The immune system's role in cancer defense (cancer immunosurveillance) is complex.
  • Both host-protective and tumor-promoting immune functions exist.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review experimental and clinical data on cancer immunoediting.
  • To provide a basis for understanding immunity to cancer and designing immunotherapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature.
  • Analysis of data from mouse models and human cancer studies.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supports immune cells and pathways acting as tumor suppressors.
  • Immune system can also promote tumor progression.
  • Cancer immunoediting describes these dual roles.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer immunoediting is a fundamental concept in tumor immunology.
  • Understanding immunoediting is crucial for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.

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