Exam 3: Immunotherapy Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
A species of organisms that infects the body
What is an antigen?
Molecular fragment from the pathogen; recognized by the adaptive immune system
How are antigens and pathogens recognized by the immune system?
Antigen Receptors
How does the immune system detect cancer?
some proteins made by the cancer is perceived as foreign by the immune system
The proteins made by the cancer cells are called?
Tumor antigens
List the components of the Adaptive Immune System
- Dendritic Cells
- Helper T Cells
- B Cells
- Cytotoxic T Cells
What is the significant of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells for Cancer Therapy?
They bind to and kill infected cells, meaning they can also kill cancer cells
Where are tumor antigens located on a cell?
On the molecule MHC I on a cancer cells
What are Immune Checkpoints?
Prevents or stops excessive immune response through inhibitory signals on T cells
What is the function of monoclonal drugs ?
They allow the immune system to resume an attack after the cancer cells have stopped it
Describe the process of Dendritic Cell vaccines?
The Dendritic cells are isolated from the patient, modified so they have a tumor antigen, then injected back into the patient
What is a more direct approach to Dendritic cell vaccination?
Isolate cytotoxic T cells from the patient to directly attack that cancer. (Autologous Therapy)
Explain the CAR T cell:
Chimeric Antigen Receptor
It contains the:
Extracellular domain of B cell-recognizes native antigen and fuse it to cytoplasmic domain of a T cell receptor
Intracellular domain of T cell -
Kills the cancer after its activation
What are advantages of Checkpoint Inhibitors?
They are cheaper and less restrictive
They can also be administered to all patients
What are the disadvantages of Checkpoint Inhibitors?
Non-specifically boost immune system
More toxic side effects (autoimmune reactions)
