Bettzy Stephen, MBBS, MPH, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In this interview, she speaks about Immune System in Action.
Abstract:
Tumors are made up of a complex network of structures that can evolve and evade the host’s immune system. In the core, the invasive margin, or the surrounding stromal or lymphoid component of the tumor, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, neutrophils, mast cells, B cells, and T cells are detected. The immune infiltration is diverse, varying both within and between patients with the same histology of tumor. The nature of the immune response, prognosis, and treatment outcomes in cancer patients are influenced by the location, density, functionality, and interaction amongst immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. To identify immune targets and create innovative immune therapies in the fight against cancer, it’s critical to first understand the features of immune cells and their role in tumor immune surveillance. The individual components of the human immune system are discussed in this chapter, as well as the translational importance of predictive biomarkers.