Immunological landscape of solid cancer: Interplay between tumor and autoimmunity

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The immune system, a central player in maintaining homeostasis, emerges as a pivotal factor in the pathogenesis and progression of two seemingly disparate yet interconnected categories of diseases: autoimmunity and cancer. This chapter delves into the intricate and multifaceted role of the immune system, particularly T cells, in orchestrating responses that govern the delicate balance between immune surveillance and self-tolerance. T cells, pivotal immune system components, play a central role in both diseases. In autoimmunity, aberrant T cell activation drives damaging immune responses against normal tissues, while in cancer, T cells exhibit suppressed responses, allowing the growth of malignant tumors. Immune checkpoint receptors, example, initially explored in autoimmunity, now revolutionize cancer treatment via immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Though effective in various tumors, ICB poses risks of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) akin to autoimmunity. This chapter underscores the importance of understanding tumor-associated antigens and their role in autoimmunity, immune checkpoint regulation, and their implications for both diseases. It also explores autoimmunity resulting from cancer immunotherapy and shared molecular pathways in solid tumors and autoimmune diseases, highlighting their interconnectedness at the molecular level. Additionally, it sheds light on common pathways and epigenetic features shared by autoimmunity and cancer, and the potential of repurposing drugs for therapeutic interventions. Delving deeper into these insights could unlock therapeutic strategies for both autoimmunity and cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationTargeting Signaling Pathways in Solid Tumors - Part C
EditorsSumit Mukherjee, Kaushiki Chatterjee
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages163-235
Number of pages73
ISBN (Print)9780443235504
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2024

Publication series

NameInternational Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
Volume389
ISSN (Print)1937-6448

Keywords

  • Autoimmunity
  • Immunity
  • Inflammation
  • Solid cancer
  • Tumor microenvironment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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