Tumour immune surveillance, immunoediting and immune evasion
How T cells and NK cells recognise tumours, the three phases of immunoediting, the escape mechanisms tumours use (antigen loss, HLA loss, PD-L1, suppressive cells), and how this explains checkpoint inhibitor response, resistance and cancer risk in immunosuppression.
Tier 2Medical sciences concept
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- The immune system finds and kills many early tumours (surveillance). Tumours that survive have been selected for low visibility (immunoediting).
- CD8 T cells recognise neoantigens on HLA class I. NK cells kill cells that lose HLA class I or express stress ligands.
- Escape mechanisms fall into three groups: become invisible, switch T cells off, or build a suppressive microenvironment.
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Sources
- Hallmarks of cancer: new dimensionsCancer Discov 2022;12:31-46 (Hanahan D), 2022
- Cancer immunoediting: integrating immunity's roles in cancer suppression and promotionScience 2011;331:1565-70 (Schreiber RD, Old LJ, Smyth MJ), 2011
- eviQ cancer treatments: immunotherapy and immune-related adverse eventsAU/NZCancer Institute NSW
- Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (KEYNOTE-024)N Engl J Med 2016;375:1823-33 (Reck M et al.), 2016
- Pembrolizumab in microsatellite-instability-high advanced colorectal cancer (KEYNOTE-177)N Engl J Med 2020;383:2207-18 (André T et al.), 2020
- Mutations associated with acquired resistance to PD-1 blockade in melanomaN Engl J Med 2016;375:819-29 (Zaretsky JM et al.), 2016
- Nicotinamide for skin-cancer chemoprevention in transplant recipients (ONTRANS)N Engl J Med 2023;388:804-12 (Allen NC et al.), 2023
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
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