Abstract
Most efforts put into the development of tumour immunology have focused on cytotoxic T lymphocytes mediated immunity, since these cells are regarded as the most important effector cells against tumours. An antigen is presented at the cell surface within the groove of the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I and II.
The most potent in terms of antigen presenting cells are dendritic dells. The cytolytic capacity of NK cells is well established.
NK cells are part of innate as well as of adaptive immunity. The characterization and effect of these cells are described in this article.
Interferons play an important role in up- and down-regulation of oncogenes and suppression of cell replication, as well as having an anti-angiogenesis effect. There are the reasons of failure an immune mechanism introduced.