Immunobiology of Cancer Metastasis

摘要: Once a diagnosis of cancer is established, the urgent question whether it localized or has already spread to regional lymph nodes and visceral organs. Despite improvements in early diagnosis, surgical techniques, general patient care local systemic adjuvant therapies, most deaths patients result from relentless growth metastatic disease that resistant conventional therapies. Surgical excision primary neoplasms not curative many because by time metastasis may well have occurred. The major challenge for treatment biological heterogeneity cells within lesions especially metastases. A wide range genetic, biochemical, immunological characteristics differ subpopulation include display cell-surface receptors, enzymes, karyotypes, cell morphologies, properties, sensitivities various therapeutic agents ability invade produce [1,2]. This due differences etiology, origin selection pressures. outcome process depends on interaction with host homeostatic factors, which elements immune system. establishment progressive requires they exploit, subvert suppress, when necessary, natural defense systems. chapter will focus host-tumor interactions modulation tumor populations.