Intracellular mechanisms of tumor cells' immunoresistance

Abstract

One of the main mechanisms for avoiding immune response by cancer cells is mediated by inducing an immunosuppressive environment in the tumor following activation of immune checkpoints, i.e. PD-1 or CTLA-4 receptor inhibitors on T lymphocytes. Interaction inhibition between PD-1 or CTLA-4 and their ligands (PD-L1, CD80, and CD85) leads to unblocking of the T-lymphocyte function, and thus destroys cancer cells. Certain intracellular signaling pathways are also involved in the development of tumor cell immunoresistance. Immunosuppressive pathways' activation blocking may increase the immunological anti-tumor control.