Immunobiology of solid cancers: cellular and molecular pathways as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets
In the last four decades, tumor immunology has shed light
on identity and functions of cells and molecules involved
in tumor rejection through the involvement of the immune
system [1]. Several groups of immune cells have been
demonstrated to be able to contrast tumor occurrence and
tumor progression by killing immunogenic tumor cells, a
phenomenon recognized under the definition of “immunosurveillance” [2]. Unfortunately, cancer may evade immunosurveillance and progress through the modifications of its
own antigens, which can reduce tumor immunogenicity
and/or increase its immunosuppressive action [3]. After years
of investigations, harnessing the immune system to attack
cancer has recently led scientists to gather enough clinical
data to show what a powerful sword immunotherapy can
be-