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The Influence of Tumor Microenvironment on Immune Escape of Melanoma
Aleksandra Simiczyjew1, Ewelina Dratkiewicz1, Justyna Mazurkiewicz1
1Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland.
Abstract:
The low efficiency of currently-used anti-cancer therapies poses a serious challenge, especially in the case of malignant melanoma, a cancer characterized by elevated invasiveness and relatively high mortality rate. The role of the tumor microenvironment in the progression of melanoma and its acquisition of resistance to treatment seems to be the main focus of recent studies. One of the factors that, in normal conditions, aids the organism in its fight against the cancer and, following the malignant transformation, adapts to facilitate the development of the tumor is the immune system. A variety of cell types, i.e., T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic and natural killer cells, as well as neutrophils, support the growth and invasiveness of melanoma cells, utilizing a plethora of mechanisms, including secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules, induction of inhibitory receptors expression, or depletion of essential nutrients. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the processes regulated by tumor-associated cells that promote the immune escape of melanoma cells. The described mechanisms offer potential new targets for anti-cancer treatment and should be further studied to improve currently-employed therapies.
Insights
Malignant melanoma treatments are inefficient due to the tumor microenvironment. Tumor-associated immune cells help melanoma cells evade immune detection, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Current anti-cancer therapies, particularly for malignant melanoma, exhibit low efficacy.
- Malignant melanoma is characterized by high invasiveness and mortality.
- The tumor microenvironment and its role in treatment resistance are key research areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms by which tumor-associated cells promote immune escape in melanoma.
- To identify potential new therapeutic targets for melanoma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies on tumor microenvironment and melanoma immune escape.
- Analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in immune evasion.
Main Results:
- Tumor-associated immune cells (T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells, neutrophils) support melanoma growth and invasiveness.
- These cells employ mechanisms like pro-inflammatory molecule secretion, induction of inhibitory receptors, and nutrient depletion.
- These processes facilitate melanoma cells' immune escape.
Conclusions:
- Understanding tumor-associated cell-mediated immune escape is crucial for improving melanoma therapies.
- Targeting these mechanisms offers promising avenues for novel anti-cancer treatments.
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