Question

Tumor-ASSOCIATED antigens are self-proteins that are over-produced in some cancers.
A. Briefly explain how why there are effective anti-cancer responses to a self antigen
B. Name at least ONE SPECIFIC example of a self antigen commonly seen in cancers, like the example indicated above.

Answer 1

A ) Tumor antigen is an antigenic substance that is produced in cancer cells, that is, it triggers an immune response in the host. Tumor antigens are useful tumor markers for identifying cancer cells through diagnostic tests and are potential candidates for use in anti-cancer therapy. The field of cancer immunology studies these topics.
The body's normal proteins are not antigenic due to self-tolerance, which is a process in which cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and antibody-producing B cells are "centrally" eliminated in lymphoid tissue. Primary (BM) and "peripheral" in secondary lymphoid tissue (mainly the thymus for T lymphocytes and spleen / lymph nodes for B lymphocytes). Hence, any protein that is not exposed to the immune system triggers an immune response. This could include natural proteins that are well isolated by the immune system, proteins that are produced in very small quantities, proteins that are normally only produced at certain stages of development, or proteins whose structure is changed as a result. From a mutation.

Any protein produced in a tumor cell with an abnormal structure due to a mutation can act as a tumor antigen. These abnormal proteins are produced by a mutation of the affected gene. The mutation of the proton gene and tumor suppressor that leads to abnormal protein production is the cause of the tumor, and hence these abnormal proteins are called tumor-specific antigens.

B ) Examples of tumor-specific antigens include the abnormal products of the ras and p53 genes. In contrast, mutation of other genes not associated with tumor formation can lead to the synthesis of abnormal proteins called tumor-associated antigens.