In theory this concept seems so simple and should work but till date nothing very conclusive has been achieved as far cancer vaccination is concerned. There are several challenges: First and foremost is the selection of antigen as most of antigens are derived from mutated or modified self-proteins, which may induce immune tolerance. Second problem is inflammation and immunosuppressive tissue microenvironment that is not very helpful to recruit and induce activation and maturation of the antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which are key for initiating an effective immune response.

Raki Sudan I appreciate you response. I agree we don't know the origin of tumor antigens in general, so we don't know the DNA sequence of them generally also if we overexpress it somehow, probably too much immune system cells will invade and create an inflammation which can be bad since cancer patients cannot handle inflammation if we talk about translational research. So depending on how much you express also immune cell response changes even it can become unresponsive or too much responsive so unknown world of proteins. It is hard to say something conclusive.

Dear Tuğba,

A good question and sophisticated topic about tumor immunology. First of all, reduced or null antigen expression of tumor cells is one of the escape mechanisms. Sometimes over expression too. Because cancer cells have a capability to deviate immune system. Over expression of tumor antigen is more activate T cells and call them to tumor side . The other components of immune system recruit to same area. Is this a good point for anti-tumor immunity? As you discussed, inflammation may occur. And, also tumor cells can turn these cells to regulatory subtypes (plasticity). Both inflammation and plasticity to regulatory condition may be dangerous for cancer patients. On the other hand excessive antigen expression may cause the exhaustion or paralyze of cancer specific T cells .

Best regards

Ishak

Thanks Ishak Ozel Tekin a lot for your valuable comment also. Tumor cells have capability of being manipulative and creating paralysis on Immune cells, but also I didn't see an example people didn't try this yet.