Antigen processing/presenting and oncogenesis.
It has been established in recent years that a number of tumor cell types express tumor antigens, yet the host's immune system fails to recognize them. The antigen processing/presenting machinery, which plays a crucial role in generating an immune response, and possible causes for its inability of processing/presenting tumor antigens are reviewed. These causes are related to the expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules, costimulatory molecules, and tumor antigens by tumor cells, and the types of cytokines produced. Therapeutic measures include transfecting tumor cells with genes that encode major histocompatibility complex and costimulatory molecules, cytokines, and tumor antigens. In addition, tumor peptide vaccines are evaluated. However, developing an immune response to tumor antigens carries with it the risk of autoimmune disease.
Abdelnoor
A M
AM
Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D009857:Oncogenes; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm