Cancer vaccines and tumor dormancy: a long-term struggle between host antitumor immunity and persistent cancer cells?
Tumor dormancy is a phenomenon characterized by the persistence of residual cancer cells for long periods in the host. Evidence has emerged that a balance exists between the immune response and dormant tumor cells. This review presents our current understanding of the immune relationship between host and dormant tumor cells and the mechanism developed by these cells to escape host antitumor immunity. Implications of this immune escape for cancer vaccine strategy are considered.
Quesnel
Bruno
B
Service des Maladies du Sang, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Lille, Rue Polonovski, 59037, Lille, France. brunoquesnel@hotmail.com
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines