Lymphocyte-mediated immunosurveillance of epithelial cancers?

The validity and importance of the immunosurveillance of tumors have been d ebated ever since Burnet and Thomas outlined several key concepts that unde rpin our understanding of tumor immunity. With the development of gene-targ eting technology, it has been shown that interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and p erforin - key effector molecules of both the innate and adaptive immune sys tems - contribute to the prevention of of tumors in mice. These findings ha ve rejuvenated interest in the immunosurveillance of tumors, and recent dat a have provided evidence that the immune system influences the development of some spontaneous epithelial malignancies.