Tumor Dormancy and Immune Evasion

Tumor dormancy and immune evasion represent two intertwined phenomena that contribute to cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. Tumor dormancy refers to a state in which cancer cells enter a quiescent phase, halting proliferation and evading detection by the immune system. During this period, cancer cells may reside in a dormant state within the primary tumor or disseminate to distant sites as micrometastases. Tumor dormancy can be induced by various factors, including the absence of pro-growth signals or the presence of inhibitory signals from the microenvironment. Importantly, dormant cancer cells often exhibit immune evasion mechanisms that allow them to escape immune surveillance and avoid immune-mediated destruction. This may involve downregulation of tumor antigens or major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules such as PD-L1, or recruitment of immunosuppressive cells like regulatory T cells (Tregs) or myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). The interplay between tumor dormancy and immune evasion poses significant challenges in cancer therapy, as dormant cancer cells can later awaken, undergo metastatic outgrowth, and develop resistance to immune-based treatments.

We believe that understanding the mechanisms underlying tumor dormancy and immune evasion will be crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies to prevent cancer recurrence and improve patient outcomes. Determining approaches that will allow for immune targeting and elimination of dormant tumor cells will be essential in achieving truly curative immunotherapies.