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- Colorectal cancer (CRC) links to accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes to the genome
- Accumulated through chromosomal instability, micro satellite instability, CpG island methylator phenotype.
- Formation of inflammatory milieu -> tumor development/progression
- Dendritic cells impairments
- Not recruiting enough activated effector T cells
- Creation of dominant immune inhibitory mechanisms that usurp T cell effector functions
- Potential biomarkers for checkpt blockade therapy
- Biomarkers for therapy would be very helpful in translational research and to evaluate effectiveness of therapy
- Changes in tumor microenvironment resembles chronic inflammation
- Dendritic cells as candidates in cancer vaccines of CRC patients -> generate more host immune responses against tumor antigens
- Challenges: they might lose activity in cancer environment + Interactions with T cell regulators (Treg) actually enhance immunosuppression
- Is there a way to fully activate dendritic cells (selectively with adjuvants) while keeping Treg from expansion and function?
- Reflection/questions:
- Importance of understanding mechanisms behind cancer interactions and immune system -> can reverse dendritic cell as immunosuppressive in cancer to immunostimulatory
- Will dendritic cell-based therapy be more effectiveness in patients with a specific type of CRC?
