Applied Microbiology

Cancer and Tumor Immunology

Cancer Immunology is a branch of immunology and it studies interactions between the immune system and cancer cells. These cancer cells, through subtle alterations, become immortal malignant cells but are often not changed enough to elicit an immune reaction. Understanding how the immune system works—or does not work—against cancer is a primary focus of Cancer Immunology investigators.  Immune system can promote the elimination of tumors, but often immune responses are modulated or suppressed by the tumor microenvironment. The Tumor microenvironment is an important aspect of cancer biology that contributes to tumor initiation, tumor progression and responses to therapy. Cells and molecules of the immune system are a fundamental component of the tumor microenvironment.