Immune escape mechanisms of tumor cells

Immune escape mechanisms of tumor cells encompass a variety of molecular and cellular strategies by which malignant cells evade immune detection and elimination. These include downregulation or complete loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, decreased tumor-associated antigen expression, secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines, recruitment and activation of immunosuppressive immune cell populations (such as regulatory T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and M2 macrophages), and expression of immune checkpoint ligands like PD-L1. Important molecular interactions include those between CD24 on tumor cells and Siglec-10 on immune cells, which can inhibit immune cell activation. These escape processes are major contributors to tumor progression, metastatic spread, and resistance to immunotherapies, making them a central focus for drug development aimed at modulating or reactivating anti-tumor immune responses. However, as these mechanisms represent a collection of pathways rather than a single target, the term is not appropriate for structured database entries of molecular therapeutic targets.

Other names

Tumor immune evasionTumor immune escapeImmune evasion in cancerTumor escape mechanisms

Blocking immune checkpoints (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4) to restore anti-tumor immunity Interfering with suppressive signaling (e.g., blocking CD24–Siglec-10 interaction) Reprogramming the tumor microenvironment