This comprehensive volume explores the latest research on the mechanisms of resistance in cancer cells to CTL-mediated immunotherapy. Chapter topics discuss cell-mediated immunity as the result of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) directed specifically against cancer cells. In addition, the volume reviews how CTL mediate the cytotoxic activity, in large part, by the indication of apoptosis; hence, tumor cells develop anti-apoptotic mechanisms and thereby, resist CTL-induced apoptosis. In order for CTL-mediated antitumor immunotherapy to be effective, it is essential that agents directed against the resistant tumor cells sensitized cancer cells for CTL-mediated apoptosis. Examples of such agents discussed in the volume include are HDAC inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors, Bcl-2 family inhibitors, PARP, antibodies, and more.

Benjamin Bonavida, Ph.D., is Professor, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine for the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics. He is also Member, Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, Member, National Cancer Institute SPORE Program, Member, International Scientific Advisory Board of the Israel Cancer Research Foundation, among other accomplishments. He is currently a scientific reviewer for several journals and a member of editorial boards including Journal of Clinical Immunology, International Journal of Oncology, and Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals. He has published over 450 papers and reviews, has received more than 7,980 citations, and has edited four Springer volumes.

Salem Chouaib, Ph.D., is Head, Cancer Immunology Division at Institut Gustave Roussy. His research focuses on augmenting cytotoxic T cell immunity and studies how tumors evade the immune system. Dr. Chouaib has published more than 239 scientific papers and reviews, and has received more than 5,490 citations.

.-1 Resistance of Cancer Stem Cells to Cell-mediated Immune Responses

.-2 Role of Co-inhibitory Molecules in Tumor Escape from CTL attack

.-3 Role of the Non-classical HLA Class I Antigens for Immune Escape

.-4 Integrins: Friends or Foes of Antitumor Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Response

.-5 Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Their Granzymes: An Overview

.-6 Hypoxia: A Formidable Saboteur of the Anti-tumor Response

.-7 Mechanisms and Modulation of Tumor Microenvironment-Induced Immune Resistance 

.-8 Evasion of Cytotoxic Lymphocyte and Pulmonary Macrophage Mediated Immune Responses in Lung Cancer

.-9 Sensitization of Immune-Resistant Tumor Cells to CTL-mediated Apoptosis via Interference at the Dysregulated NF-¿B/Snail/YY1/PI3K/RKIP/PTEN Resistant Loop

.-10 Overcoming Cancer Cell Resistance to Death Receptor Targeted Therapies

.-11 Pancreatic Cancer Resistance to TRAIL Therapy: Regulators of the Death Inducing Signaling Complex

.-12 Resistance of Carcinoma Cells to CTL-mediated Immunotherapy

.-13 Cancer Induced Immunosuppression and its Modulation by Signal Inhibitors

.-14 Quality of CTL Therapies: A Changing Landscape