Untersuchungen zur differentiellen Bedeutung des adaptiven Immunsystems für die FAA-induzierte Hepatitis und Hepatokarzinogenese

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Tumors often arise at sites of inflammation and chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized to be important in the pathogenesis of many malignancies. Each stage of malignancies appears to be exquisitely susceptible to regulation of immune cells. Activation of the adaptive immune system in response to tumors might result in eradication of malignant cells. On the other hand, immune cells, which infiltrate tumors and pre-neoplastic lesions, produce a variety of cytokines and chemokines that propagate a localized inflammatory response and that can also enhance the growth and survival of premalignant cells. Hepatocellular carcinoma, which is one of the most lethal and prevalent cancers worldwide, represents a classic case of inflammation-linked cancer. There is increasing evidence indicating that the immune system contributes to heptocarcinogenesis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the tumor promoting properties of the immune system is critical to any effort to slow down hepatocarcinogenesis by either bolstering anti-tumor responses or by neutralizing cancer-promoting properties of immune cells. The aim of our study is to define the role of the immune system for tumor development in the liver during chronic injury. Our longterm aim is to find novel treatment strategies through pharmacologic activation or inactivation of key oncogenic pathways to prevent or at least delay liver tumor development.