Basic Concepts in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy

Our immune system works in our bodies to prevent cancer cells from developing into full-blown disease, and yet cancer cells can evolve and escape our immune system. Cancer immunotherapy can help our immune system regain its ability to find and destroy cancer cells. In this chapter, we introduce and explain some basic concepts and processes of how our immune system controls cancer cells and how cancer cells escape immune control. Research on the interactions between immune cells and cancer cells has helped us identify therapeutic targets and develop new immunotherapies. We discuss the success of existing therapies and highlight current challenges and opportunities for future improvement.