Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 10, 2025
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Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion
Published on: June 15, 2019
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Complement in Tumourigenesis and the Response to Cancer Therapy
Rebecca M O'Brien1,2, Aoife Cannon1, John V Reynolds1
1Department of Surgery, Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin and St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
Cancers
|April 3, 2021
Summary
The complement system plays a complex role in cancer, influencing tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment response. Understanding its multifaceted functions reveals new therapeutic targets, particularly for combination therapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The complement system, traditionally known for innate immunity, has expanded roles in cancer.
- Recent advances reveal its involvement beyond innate immunity, impacting malignancy.
- Local immune cells' complement interactions remodel the tumor microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the complement system's role in cancer.
- To outline direct and immune cell-mediated functions of complement in malignancy.
- To present complement's impact on therapeutic responses and identify targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advancements in complement research in cancer.
- Analysis of complement's direct and indirect effects on carcinogenesis and metastasis.
- Examination of complement's role in response to chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
Main Results:
- The complement system has a multifaceted role in cancer, affecting carcinogenesis, metastasis, and therapy response.
- Immune cell-mediated complement activities regulate the tumor microenvironment and support immunosuppression.
- Novel therapeutic targets within the complement system have been identified.
Conclusions:
- Complement's role in cancer is context- and cancer type-dependent.
- Promising therapeutic strategies, especially combination therapies, are emerging.
- Targeting the complement system offers potential for improved cancer treatment.
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