Cancer Immunology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about cancer immunology.

TSAs

Tumor-specific antigens arise from mutations or viral oncogenes; processed by proteasome, transported by TAP1/2, loaded onto MHC I, and presented to CD8+ T cells.

Cross-presentation

Dendritic cells present exogenous tumor antigens on MHC I to activate CD8+ T cells, crucial when tumor cells lose MHC I.

Immune evasion strategies used by tumors

PD-L1 expression, TGF-β secretion, MHC-I loss, Treg recruitment, and IDO expression.

PD-1 inhibition of T cell function

Recruits SHP-2, which dephosphorylates CD3ζ and ZAP-70, inhibiting TCR signaling.

Checkpoint inhibitors

Monoclonal antibodies like Ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) and Nivolumab (anti-PD-1) that block T cell inhibition.

CAR-T cell components

scFv for antigen binding, CD3ζ for signaling, and CD28 or 4-1BB for co-stimulation.

Steps in CAR-T therapy

Leukapheresis, gene modification, expansion, lymphodepletion, and reinfusion.

Common complications of CAR-T therapy

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity, and B cell aplasia.

How monoclonal antibodies treat cancer

Bind tumor antigens to mediate ADCC, CDC, or block receptor signaling.

T-VEC

An oncolytic HSV virus used in melanoma that lyses tumor cells and enhances immunity.

Phases of cancer immunoediting

Elimination, equilibrium, and escape.

AID in cancer

If dysregulated, it mutates non-Ig genes, contributing to B cell lymphoma.

Suppressive cells in the TME

Tregs, MDSCs, TAMs—these produce IL-10, TGF-β, and suppress T/NK cell function.

Metabolic conditions in the TME that suppress immunity

Hypoxia, lactate, and IDO-mediated tryptophan depletion.

Pyroptosis

Inflammatory, mediated by caspase-1 and gasdermin D; apoptosis is non-inflammatory and silent.