Cancer's Escape: How Tumors Evade the Immune System

Cancer's Clever Camouflage: How Tumors Evade the Immune System and the Promise of Immunotherapy In a recent video by immunologist Sam (@samscientist), the complex process of how cancer cells evade the immune system is explained. The video uses a clear schematic to illustrate three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape. In the elimination phase, the immune system successfully identifies and destroys cancer cells. However, tumors can evolve, entering an equilibrium phase where growth and immune attack coexist. The most concerning is the escape phase, where tumors employ various strategies to evade immune response. One key mechanism highlighted is the upregulation of checkpoint markers, such as PD-L1. "Tumors have this really elegant mechanism of upregulating certain checkpoint markers," explains Sam. This allows them to signal the immune system to leave them alone. This evasion strategy is a major focus of immunotherapy research. By blocking the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1, the immune system can be reactivated to target the cancer cells. The video also discusses other methods of immune evasion, such as creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment. This involves regulatory cells that suppress inflammatory responses, hindering the immune system's ability to control tumor growth. Sam's expertise and clear explanation make this video a valuable resource for understanding the intricate battle between the immune system and cancer. The video's accessible presentation of complex scientific concepts makes it highly suitable for a broader audience.