Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
09:04
Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells
Published on: March 7, 2025
1.8K
Enhancing immunotherapy using chemotherapy and radiation to modify the tumor microenvironment
Michael H Kershaw1, Christel Devaud, Liza B John
1Cancer Immunology Research Program; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology; University of Melbourne; Parkville, VIC Australia ; Department of Immunology; Monash University; Prahran, VIC Australia.
Oncoimmunology
|December 12, 2013
Summary
The tumor microenvironment often suppresses immune responses, hindering cancer immunotherapy. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can reprogram this microenvironment, making immunotherapy more effective.
Area of Science:
- Oncology and Immunology
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises various leukocytes that promote tumor growth and immune suppression.
- An immunosuppressive TME significantly limits the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.
Approach:
- Investigating how chemotherapy and radiotherapy can alter the TME.
- Evaluating the potential of these treatments to enhance anti-tumor immune responses.
Key Points:
- Chemotherapy and radiotherapy exhibit cytotoxic effects against tumors.
- These conventional treatments can modify the TME by releasing tumor antigens.
- Modulation of the TME by chemotherapy and radiotherapy can reduce immunosuppression.
Conclusions:
- Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are effective in modulating the tumor microenvironment.
- These therapeutic strategies can be leveraged to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
2.5K
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
2.5K
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
6.3K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.3K
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
2.7K
2.7K
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
7.0K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.0K
02:49Cancer Therapies
8.5K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
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...
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...
8.5K
01:30Cancer Vaccines
1.3K
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
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...
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...
1.3K