Role of apoptosis resistance in immune evasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer

Figure 2 Model of immune cell-tumor cell interaction. Interactions between immune cells and tumor cells involve direct cell-cell physical contact and release of modulator molecules, primarily cytokines and chemokines. In this survival and death battle, on the one hand, the immune cells may prevail and eradicate the tumor cells. On the other hand, tumor cells can counterattack the immune cells by producing inhibitory molecules, activating the immune suppressive cells or acquiring apoptosis-resistant mechanisms to avoid destruction by the immune system. Thus, the anti-tumor immune response can be a two-edged sword and can result in both positive and negative consequences.