Strategies to overcome immune ignorance and tolerance.
Cancer poses a difficult problem for immunotherapy because it arises from the host's own tissues. Many of the target antigens are tissue-specific molecules shared by cancer cells and normal cells. Thus, these are weak antigens that do not typically elicit immunity. In addition, tumors have several features that make their recognition and destruction by the immune system difficult. Despite these obstacles, several strategies for developing effective tumor immunity have been developed. Crucial to these approaches is the discovery and understanding of the molecular identity of antigens and the mechanisms involved in tumor immunity. In this review, strategies to overcome immune ignorance and tolerance are discussed.
Perales
Miguel-Angel
MA
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Medical School and Graduate School of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA. peralesm@mmskcc.org
Blachere
Nathalie E
NE
Engelhorn
Manuel E
ME
Ferrone
Cristina R
CR
Gold
Jason S
JS
Gregor
Polly D
PD
Noffz
Gabriele
G
Wolchok
Jedd D
JD
Houghton
Alan N
AN
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm