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Introduction on Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy

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Cancer Immunology

Abstract

Cancer, a major public health threat affecting people at all ages, is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and genetic instability. The immune system can recognize tumor cells and mediate antigen-specific tumor rejection under certain condition. The molecular and cellular basis of immune recognition and antitumor immunity is now better understood. In addition, it is now evident that tumors may mediate immunosuppression through various soluble and cellular mechanisms which protect established tumors from immune system recognition or rejection. These advances in understanding the role of the immune system in cancer have led to a variety of specific and nonspecific approaches designed to initiate or enhance antitumor immunity, which in turn result in significant therapeutic effects in a variety of cancers. Moreover, immunotherapy is being established as a major class of drugs for cancer therapy. This chapter will review the scope of the cancer problem, describe the basis of antitumor immunity, and introduce the concept of tumor immunotherapy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children’s Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 14194, Iran

    Nima Rezaei MD, MSc, PhD

  2. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, and Molecular Immunology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, 14194, Iran

    Nima Rezaei MD, MSc, PhD

  3. Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 100129, USA

    Seyed Hossein Aalaei-Andabili MD

  4. Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Seyed Hossein Aalaei-Andabili MD

  5. Department of General Surgery and Immunology and Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Rush University Cancer Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Howard L. Kaufman MD

Authors
  1. Nima Rezaei MD, MSc, PhD
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  2. Seyed Hossein Aalaei-Andabili MD
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  3. Howard L. Kaufman MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nima Rezaei MD, MSc, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Children's Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Tehran, Iran

    Nima Rezaei

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Rezaei, N., Aalaei-Andabili, S.H., Kaufman, H.L. (2015). Introduction on Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy. In: Rezaei, N. (eds) Cancer Immunology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44006-3_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44006-3_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-44005-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-44006-3

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