Immunity

Growth and survival of tumour cells is subjected to immune surveillance. Pre-cancerous cells are recognized by cells of the innate, as well as cells of the adaptive immune system and subsequently killed. In tumours this system is largely impaired, as anti-tumour immunity is suppressed and mitogenic factors are released by pro-inflammatory immune cells. Cytokines play a key role in this complex interaction of several cell types. We aim to understand how a tumour-permissive immune micro-environment occurs, in particular in tumour metastases.