Abstract:
Leading investigators and clinicians detail the different mechanisms used by tumors to escape and impair the immune system and then spell out possible clinical strategies to prevent or reverse tumor-induced immune dysfunction. The authors review the mechanisms of immune dysfunction and evasion mechanisms in histologically diverse human tumors, focusing on tumor-induced molecular defects in T cells and antigen-presenting cells (dendritic cells and tumors), that may serve as biomarkers for patient prognosis. They discuss the means by which these immune functions may be protected or restored in order to more effectively support the process of tumor rejection in situ. Cutting-edge techniques are outlined with the capacity to monitor the strength and quality of patients' immune responses using immunocytometry, MHC-peptide tetramers combined with apoptosis assay, ELISPOT assay, and detection of MHC-TAA peptide complexes on tumor cells.

From Book News, Inc.
Though the immune system is mainly devoted to controlling and eliminating infectious organisms such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses, many studies suggest that with the proper prodding, it can be convinced to attack tumors as well. Research oncologists, immunologists, pathologists, and other medical scientists outline the basic mechanisms that may be operative in cancer patients to contribute to the poor development of anti-tumor immune responses despite the prodding. Then they review the clinical relevance of immune evasion, discussing the functional and signaling defects in T cells and antigen-presenting cells and their relation to impaired anti-tumor immune responses and to poor clinical outcomes.Copyright 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Book Info
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH. Illuminates the different mechanisms used by tumors for escaping and impairing the immune system and outlines possible clinical strategies for preventing or reversing tumor-induced immune dysfunction. Presents state-of-the-art methods to monitor immunity. DNLM: Neoplasms--therapy.