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Cancer cells escape the immune system by increasing stemness through epigenetic reprogramming

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 20, pages 6–7 (2023)Cite this article

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Cancer stem cells (CSCs), also known as tumor initiating cells, are a minority subpopulation of undifferentiated cancerous cells within the entire tumor that hold self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential. CSCs are critical for tumor progression, heterogeneity and metastasis and play a major role in chemo- and radiation-resistance and tumor recurrence [1]. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying the ability of CSCs to give rise to new tumors and promote resistance to many cancer therapies are not completely understood, increasing knowledge suggests potential roles for these cells in the evasion of immune surveillance [2, 3].

The immune system plays a main role in the surveillance against tumors, but tumor cells can develop different strategies to avoid immunogenic cell death (ICD), a form of regulated cell death that is sufficient to activate an adaptive immune response [4, 5]. Damaged or dying cancer cells release intracellular molecules with specific patterns that alert the immune system, thereby triggering antitumor-specific immune responses. These molecules, coined DAMPs (damage-associated molecular patterns), are recognized by specific pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) expressed by innate immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, or NK cells, leading to the activation of T-lymphocytes directed against the tumor.

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Acknowledgements

This work received financial support from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2020-113501RB-I00; JAC), the Axencia Galega de Innovación (Galician Agency of Innovation (2020-PG068; JAC), the Centro Singular de Investigación de Galicia accreditation 2016–2019, ED431G/05) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

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  1. Molecular Oncology Laboratory MOL, Departamento de Fisioloxía, Centro Singular de Investigación en Medicina Molecular e Enfermidades Crónicas (CiMUS), Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    Jose A. Costoya & Victor M. Arce

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  1. Jose A. Costoya
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Correspondence to Jose A. Costoya or Victor M. Arce.

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Costoya, J.A., Arce, V.M. Cancer cells escape the immune system by increasing stemness through epigenetic reprogramming. Cell Mol Immunol 20, 6–7 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-022-00953-3

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