Tumor Immunology

Description: This quiz covers fundamental concepts in Tumor Immunology, exploring the interactions between tumors and the immune system. Test your knowledge on tumor antigens, immune cell responses, and immunotherapeutic strategies.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: tumor immunology cancer immunotherapy immune surveillance immune checkpoint inhibitors
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Which of the following is NOT a type of tumor antigen?

  1. Cancer-testis antigens

  2. Overexpressed self-antigens

  3. Mutated neoantigens

  4. Viral antigens


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Viral antigens are not typically considered tumor antigens, as they are associated with viral infections rather than cancer.

What is the primary function of cytotoxic T cells in tumor immunity?

  1. Antibody production

  2. Phagocytosis

  3. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity

  4. Cytokine secretion


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Cytotoxic T cells directly kill tumor cells through the release of cytotoxic molecules, such as perforin and granzymes.

Which immune cell type is responsible for antigen presentation to T cells?

  1. B cells

  2. Macrophages

  3. Natural killer cells

  4. Dendritic cells


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Dendritic cells are specialized antigen-presenting cells that capture, process, and present antigens to T cells, initiating an immune response.

What is the mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors?

  1. Stimulating T cell proliferation

  2. Blocking inhibitory receptors on T cells

  3. Inducing apoptosis in tumor cells

  4. Activating natural killer cells


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking inhibitory receptors on T cells, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4, thereby releasing the brakes on T cell activity and enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.

What is the term for the ability of the immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells?

  1. Immune surveillance

  2. Immune tolerance

  3. Immune evasion

  4. Immune exhaustion


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Immune surveillance refers to the immune system's ability to continuously monitor and eliminate abnormal or potentially cancerous cells, preventing tumor development.

Which cytokine is primarily responsible for stimulating the differentiation of Th1 cells?

  1. Interleukin-4 (IL-4)

  2. Interleukin-10 (IL-10)

  3. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)

  4. Interleukin-17 (IL-17)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a key cytokine that promotes the differentiation of naive T cells into Th1 cells, which are important for cell-mediated immunity and anti-tumor responses.

What is the term for the process by which tumor cells escape immune recognition and destruction?

  1. Immune surveillance

  2. Immune tolerance

  3. Immune evasion

  4. Immune exhaustion


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Immune evasion refers to the strategies employed by tumor cells to avoid detection and elimination by the immune system, such as downregulating antigen expression or expressing inhibitory molecules.

Which type of immune cell is known for its ability to kill tumor cells through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)?

  1. Natural killer cells

  2. Cytotoxic T cells

  3. Helper T cells

  4. Regulatory T cells


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that can kill tumor cells through ADCC, a process in which antibodies bound to tumor cells recruit NK cells to mediate cell lysis.

What is the primary function of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in anti-tumor immunity?

  1. Antibody production

  2. Phagocytosis

  3. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity

  4. Cytokine secretion


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

TILs are T cells that have infiltrated the tumor microenvironment and are directly involved in tumor cell killing through cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Which type of tumor antigen is derived from mutations in genes encoding proteins?

  1. Cancer-testis antigens

  2. Overexpressed self-antigens

  3. Mutated neoantigens

  4. Viral antigens


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Mutated neoantigens are tumor antigens that arise from somatic mutations in genes encoding proteins, leading to the expression of novel epitopes that can be recognized by the immune system.

What is the term for the state of functional impairment and exhaustion of T cells in response to chronic antigen stimulation?

  1. Immune surveillance

  2. Immune tolerance

  3. Immune evasion

  4. Immune exhaustion


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Immune exhaustion is a state of T cell dysfunction characterized by impaired effector function, reduced cytokine production, and upregulation of inhibitory receptors, often occurring in chronic infections or cancer.

Which type of immune cell is primarily responsible for phagocytosing and destroying tumor cells?

  1. Natural killer cells

  2. Cytotoxic T cells

  3. Helper T cells

  4. Macrophages


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Macrophages are phagocytic cells that play a role in tumor immunity by engulfing and destroying tumor cells, as well as presenting tumor antigens to other immune cells.

What is the term for the process by which tumor cells can suppress or downregulate the immune response against them?

  1. Immune surveillance

  2. Immune tolerance

  3. Immune evasion

  4. Immune exhaustion


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Immune evasion refers to the strategies employed by tumor cells to suppress or downregulate the immune response against them, such as expressing inhibitory molecules or releasing immunosuppressive factors.

Which type of immune cell is known for its ability to produce antibodies that target tumor-associated antigens?

  1. Natural killer cells

  2. Cytotoxic T cells

  3. Helper T cells

  4. B cells


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

B cells are responsible for producing antibodies, which can recognize and bind to tumor-associated antigens, leading to the activation of complement and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC).

What is the term for the process by which the immune system distinguishes between self and non-self molecules?

  1. Immune surveillance

  2. Immune tolerance

  3. Immune evasion

  4. Immune exhaustion


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Immune tolerance refers to the ability of the immune system to distinguish between self and non-self molecules, preventing autoimmune reactions against self-antigens.

- Hide questions