Tumor immunoresistance: destruction of the body's defenses
In recent years, the problem of tumor immunoresistance has become a subject of general interest in the medical community. Tumor immunoresistance refers to the ability of tumor cells to persistently resist the body's immune response. This characteristic of tumor cells poses serious challenges in cancer treatment and limits the effectiveness of immunotherapy, including the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Tumor immunoresistance results from a complex interaction between tumor cells and the immune system. Tumor cells develop a variety of mechanisms that help them evade detection and destruction by immune cells. These mechanisms may include changes in tumor antigen expression, suppression of immune cell activation, or changes in the tumor microenvironment.
One of the key factors contributing to tumor immunoresistance is dysfunction of killer cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes). These cells play an important role in recognizing and destroying tumor cells. However, the tumor can activate signaling pathways that suppress the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, making them less able to attack the tumor.
Another mechanism contributing to tumor immunoresistance is the presence of suppressor immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. These cells, such as regulatory T cells and myeloid suppressor cells, suppress the activity of other immune cells that may be responsible for killing the tumor. This immune containment mechanism creates favorable conditions for tumor cells to survive and spread.
Tumor immunoresistance may also be due to genetic changes in tumor cells that lead to altered expression of molecules involved in the immune response. This may involve changes in the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, which play a role in the recognition of tumor antigens by immune cells.
Understanding the mechanisms of tumor immunoresistance is key to developing new cancer treatment strategies. Today, researchers and clinicians are actively working to find ways to overcome tumor immunoresistance. One approach is to combine immunotherapy with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Such combination approaches can enhance the body's immune response and improve treatment effectiveness.
Research is also underway to develop new immunotherapy drugs that can overcome tumor immunoresistance mechanisms. Some of these drugs include signaling pathway inhibitors that suppress tumor immunosuppressive mechanisms or molecules that enhance the activity of immune cells against the tumor.
In addition, the development of an individualized approach to cancer treatment is becoming increasingly important. Immunotherapy may be most effective in patients with certain genetic changes or specific immune profiles. This approach allows us to more accurately determine which patients are most likely to respond to immunotherapy and focus efforts on this group of patients.
Tumor immunoresistance is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires further research and the development of new treatment strategies. Understanding the mechanisms underlying immunoresistance opens the way to new innovative approaches in cancer treatment. The development of more effective methods to overcome tumor immunoresistance may lead to improved treatment outcomes and increased survival of patients suffering from cancer.
Immunoresistant tumors are those that do not respond to the immune response due to the characteristics of their structure and metabolism. A significant proportion of all malignant diseases become or may become immunoresistant. Loss of immune control by the tumor is a mechanism that contributes to its progression. The lack of sufficient forces in the body to counteract cancer cells allows tumor growth. During its development, malignant tissue seeks to extract maximum benefit from feeding on its own tissues.