Cancer immunoediting hypothesis: history, clinical implications and controversies

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• The immune system defends against pathogens and maintains tissue homeostasis.
• It prevents autoimmunity, tolerizes harmless microbes, and eliminates damaged or cancerous cells.
• The cancer immunoediting hypothesis describes the immune system's role in tumor development through elimination, equilibrium, and escape phases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the intricate relationship between the immune system and cancer development.
• To highlight the significance of immune surveillance and response in cancer progression.
• To underscore the therapeutic potential of leveraging immune-tumor interactions in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of established immunological principles and cancer research findings.
• Analysis of the cancer immunoediting hypothesis and its stages.
• Examination of emerging immune-oncology research, including T cell infiltration quantification.

Main Results:

• The immune system plays a dual role in cancer, capable of inhibiting or, in some cases, promoting tumor growth.
• The cancer immunoediting hypothesis provides a framework for understanding tumor-immune dynamics.
• Quantifying immune cell infiltration is vital for prognostic and predictive applications in oncology.

Conclusions:

• Knowledge of tumor-immune system interactions is fundamental to modern cancer therapy.
• Immunotherapy has become a standard and supplementary treatment modality for various cancers.
• Continued research in immune-oncology promises further advancements in cancer treatment strategies.