What we can learn from individual patients is often overlookedin oncology

"What we can learn from individual patients is often overlookedin oncology  he said, adding that many of these remarkablecases have led to the development of new treatment strategiesfor melanoma such as vaccinations against specific antigensand bone marrow transplantation. "From clinical observation,we can learn a lot from these remarkable cases," he said

"What we can learn from individual patients is often overlookedin oncology  he said, adding that many of these remarkablecases have led to the development of new treatment strategiesfor melanoma such as vaccinations against specific antigensand bone marrow transplantation. "From clinical observation,we can learn a lot from these remarkable cases," he said

Alan Houghton, M.D., chiefof immunology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NewYork

AS I continue my research I am uncovering amazing things about out immune system. If you don't get an immune response, you might be missing the "Danger Signal"

Three major events must occur to induce CD8+ T cell–mediated, tumor-protective immunity against melanoma

First , the T-cell receptor must be triggered by a (or multiple) self antigen–derived peptide MHC class I complex. Therefore, this event depends entirely on appropriate antigen presentation, which is most efficiently provided by mature dendritic cells. Peripherally tolerant or “ignorant” self-reactive T-cell clones, once properly activated, may serve as tumor-specific effector T cells.

Second, simultaneously with T-cell receptor triggering, a distinct second costimulatory signal must be delivered, mediated by IL-2, B7-1, or B7-2, which engage IL-2 receptors and CD28 on the surface of the T cell, respectively (17). A source of these cofactors for effective CD8+ T-cell stimulation can be provided by CD4+ T cells that release critical amounts of IL-2, or by mature dendritic cells that display an increased level of B7-1/B7-2 costimulatory molecules on their cell surfaces.

Third, inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, and IFN-γ provide a third signal that acts directly on T cells, referred to as the “danger signal”. This signal was found to optimally activate TH1 differentiation and lead to clonal expansion of T cells.1

The inflammatory cytokines act to promote T cell responses. They include IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-g produced by macrophages and/or dendritic cells. Th17 cells also plays a part by secreting IL-17 and others. The most notable role of IL-17 is it involvement in inducing and mediating proinflammatory responses. Neutrophils are the earliest cells to arrive at the inflammatory site.

While TGF-β is a critical differentiation factor for Treg cells, IL6 completely inhibits the generation of Treg cells induced by TGF-β. Instead, IL6 and TGF-β together induce the differentiation of pathogenic Th17 cells. With IL-6 missing in the microenvironment, Treg Cells flourish.

Anti-CTLA-4 blockage tilts the balance of the differentation of the T helper cells toward the Th17 phenotype. Once at the Tumor's microenviroment, it secretes IL-17, an inflammatory cytokine. This cytokine attracts the neutrophils cells to the tumor site. It then secretes chemoattractants, MIP-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta and MCP-1.

These chemokines, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and MCP-1 are recently reported to serve as chemoattractants for Th1 cells. MIP-1alpha and MCP-1 are also reported to enhance antigen-specific (CTL) Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte induction. Studies revealed that MIP-1alpha /beta released from neutrophils are involved in recruitment of macrophages, T cells, monocytes, dendritic cells (DC), neutrophils and NK cells.
MIP-1 attracts predominantly CD8+ T cells while MIP-1 attracts CD4+ cells, although there is some overlap between subsets in response to both chemokines.

The other Chemokine MCP-1, binds to CCR2 to accumulate monocytes/macrophages, DC, T cells, and NK cells, thereby playing an important role in innate and adaptive immunity. CCR2 is Chemokine receptor that is key determinant of leucocyte trafficking.
IL-2 strongly upregulates expression of CCR2. With the MCP-1/CCR2 interface, the cells can traffic towards the tumor’s microenvironment. The trafficking of the cells and inflammatory cytokines present the perfect storm in the tumor’s microenvironment to induce the right immune response to eradicate the cancer, Melanoma.

I thought you might want to know,

Jimmy B