Tumor cells and virus-infected cells

Tumor cells and virus-infected cells represent broad categories of pathologically altered host cells that are the primary focus of oncology and infectious disease therapeutics. Tumor cells are characterized by malignant transformation, involving uncontrolled proliferation, evasion of growth suppressors, and the ability to resist programmed cell death (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2011). Virus-infected cells are host cells whose internal machinery has been hijacked by viral pathogens to replicate genetic material and assemble new virions, often leading to cellular dysfunction or lysis (NIH, 2022). Both cell types are recognized by the innate and adaptive immune systems, particularly through the action of Natural Killer (NK) cells and Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes, which detect abnormal surface markers or MHC-presented antigens (Abbas et al., 2021). Therapeutic interventions targeting these cells include monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and cell-based therapies like CAR-T cells, which aim to induce selective apoptosis or immune-mediated lysis. Because this entry describes a heterogeneous population of cells rather than a specific molecular entity like a receptor or enzyme, it is classified as a cellular target rather than a molecular one.

Other names

Malignant cellsInfected host cellsTransformed cellsPathologically altered cells

Therapeutic strategies involve the induction of apoptosis, immune-mediated cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), inhibition of viral replication enzymes, and the blockade of immune checkpoints to restore anti-tumor or anti-viral immunity.