Host Immune and Malignant Cells

"Host Immune and Malignant Cells" collectively refers to the diverse populations of immune cells and cancer cells residing within or recruited to the tumor microenvironment. Their interactions play a central role in cancer initiation, progression, and response to therapy. The immune system can either suppress or promote tumor growth, depending on the balance between anti-tumor immune responses (e.g., cytotoxic T cell activity, macrophage M1 polarization) and pro-tumor/tolerogenic mechanisms (e.g., MDSC accumulation, regulatory T cell induction, M2 macrophage activity, immune checkpoint upregulation such as PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4)[1][2][3][5][6][7]. This dynamic interplay forms the basis for several therapeutic strategies, notably immunotherapies, but it is much too broad and variable to constitute a single molecular target.

Modulation of immune surveillance and response (immune activation or suppression); Blockade of immunosuppressive checkpoints (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4 inhibitors); Induction of immune-mediated tumor cell killing; Immunosuppression or promotion of immunogenicity