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Related Concept Videos

Complement System01:27

Complement System

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The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a...
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The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

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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...
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Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
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Selectins01:25

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Cell adhesion is  an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain,...
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Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

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Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
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Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

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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.
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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion
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Complement in cancer: untangling an intricate relationship.

Edimara S Reis1, Dimitrios C Mastellos2, Daniel Ricklin3

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania 19104, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Nature Reviews. Immunology
|September 19, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The complement system, traditionally aiding antibody immunotherapies, is now recognized for its complex role in tumour immunology. Imbalanced complement activation in the tumour microenvironment can suppress anti-cancer immunity, highlighting its therapeutic potential.

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Area of Science:

  • Tumour immunology
  • Complement system biology
  • Cancer immunotherapy

Background:

  • The complement system has historically been viewed as a supportive element in antibody-based cancer therapies.
  • Recent research reveals the complement system's dual role in the tumour microenvironment, influencing inflammation and immune suppression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of complement activation in the tumour microenvironment.
  • To explore how complement acts as both a negative and positive regulator of cancer development.
  • To discuss clinical implications, including complement biomarkers and inhibitors for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent findings on complement activation in tumour immunology.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking complement to tumour microenvironment dynamics.
  • Synthesis of clinical data on complement biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Complement activation is intricately linked to inflammation and immune suppression within the tumour microenvironment.
  • The complement system can paradoxically promote or inhibit tumourigenesis depending on context.
  • Complement biomarkers show potential for cancer diagnosis, and complement inhibitors are emerging as therapeutic options.

Conclusions:

  • The complement system plays a critical, context-dependent role in cancer immunity and progression.
  • Targeting the complement system offers novel strategies for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate and exploit complement-mediated pathways in oncology.