Cancer immunity

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In the past, the effects of the immune system on cancer tumorigenesis and progression have been neglected since the immune system was conventionally believed to attack \"non-self\" cells only. Relatively recent findings have revealed that the immune system is constantly in search of neoplastic cells, and can recognize defects and threats by \"self\" cells as well. Both innate and adaptive immune cells are involved in various mechanisms that can detect and destroy cancer cells at any stage. However, tumor heterogeneity and subpopulation evolution in tumors make cancer find ways to escape immune pressure and even use immune cells in its favor. This chapter is about how the immune system is involved in the tumorigenesis and progression of cancer, from tumor recognition and development of the first response, inflammation and the tumor microenvironment, immune surveillance, and immune editing, and to immune escape.