Assessment of tumor cellular microenvironment

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs in people with an underlying liver disease of either viral or toxic origin. It is usually preceded by cirrhosis. In the Czech Republic alcoholic liver disease is the major etiological factor. Tumor microenvironment is composed of myeloid (innate immunity) and lymphoid (adaptive immunity) lineages. Infiltrating immune cells can function to control tumor growth or to help create an immunosuppressive environment in which the tumor can thrive. The long suspected role for immune surveillance in human cancer has gained strong experimental support in the past decade. The concepts of ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ tumors refer to signs of inflammation (hot) when the tumor has already been infiltrated by T cells, which usually correlates with a response to immunotherapy. Even more gratifying, these scientific breakthroughs have also benefited clinical oncology in the context of diagnostics, prognostication, drug development and therapy.

Students for the following Ph.D. study topics are sought in the doctoral study programme:

T-cells as main actors in anti-tumor immunity

The long-suspected role of the importance of immunity in cancer has gained strong experimental support in the past decade. Infiltrating immune cells can function to control tumor growth or to help create an immunosuppressive environment in which the tumor can thrive. Immune surveillance by T-cells in human cancers is one of the key mechanisms of anti-cancer immunity.

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