Molecular pathology of mismatch repair deficient tumours with emphasis on immune escape mechanisms

Abstract

This thesis describes molecular methods to distinguish separate colon tumour entities. Furthermore, it shows that distinct immune escape mechanisms, in particular distinct mechanisms of corrupting the HLA system, are operational in subsets of colon tumours. The apparent necessity of some colon tumours to circumvent the immune system might underscore the potential of immune based therapy approaches. Alternatively, it may suggest that such therapies will only lead to selection of tumour cells with HLA alterations, limiting the value of these approaches. In general, the identification of distinct tumour types to be targeted by tailor-made therapy is essential studying the success of any applied strategy.