Chapter 11

Cancer Immunology and Novel Strategies for Immunotherapy

Alberto Monroy-Garcia, Maria de Lourdes Mora-Garcia and Jorge Hernandez- Montes

Abstract

It is known that the immune system through innate and adaptive immune responses plays an important role to detect and eliminate primary chemically induced or spontaneous tumors. However, according to clinical data and experimental studies using de novo immune-competent mouse models of cancer development, the immune system can also participate as cancer-promoter. In this regard, deficient anti-tumor cell-mediated immunity, in combination with enhanced pro-tumor humoral and/or innate immunity (inflammation), are significant factors influencing malignant outcome. This review describes current knowledge of the interaction between tumors and the immune system, cellular and molecular events that favor tumor immune tolerance and current approaches to control tumor growth trough immunotherapy as well as novel strategies to block immunosuppressive elements.

Total Pages: 130-147 (18)

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