- A Cancer cells are sometimes thought to grow in isolation from surrounding cells, with little cancer-associated fibroblast, macrophage, or regulatory T cell influence on tumour growth and spread in the majority of cases studied
- B TME includes cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumour-associated macrophages, regulatory T cells, and blood vessels; TAMs often promote (not fight) cancer, and TME manipulation is a target for immunotherapy
- C The immune system is sometimes thought to usually eliminate cancer, despite immune editing allowing tumour variants that evade detection to survive, persist, and eventually escape immune control as widely reported
- D The TME is sometimes thought to have no role in cancer treatment, when in fact manipulating macrophages, fibroblasts, and regulatory T cells is now an active target for cancer immunotherapy in standard practice
Correct answer: B. TME includes cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumour-associated macrophages, regulatory T cells, and blood vessels; TAMs often promote (not fight) cancer, and TME manipulation is a target for immunotherapy
Explanation: TME is the non-cancerous cellular and molecular environment surrounding tumour cells. TAMs (M2 polarized): secrete TGF-beta, IL-10, VEGF, MMPs - promote invasion, suppress immunity. CAFs: produce TGF-beta, SDF-1, remodel ECM, promote invasion. Tregs: suppress CTL anti-tumour response. Tumour angiogenesis (VEGF-driven): provides nutrients. Immunotherapy targets TME: anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (pembrolizumab, nivolumab) block T cell exhaustion to restore anti-tumour immunity.
Concept context
Pathogens, infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases, drugs, cancer, and public health. High NEET importance.