Figure 2.

The different phases of the cancer immunoediting process. (A) Initiation of a carcinogenic process, producing cancer cells and development of a tumour. (B) Elimination is characterised by immunosurveillance leading to suppression of the transformed cancer cells directed by inflammatory and cellular cytotoxicity processes. (C) Equilibrium is characterised by a balance between the immune system and the tumour, leading to partial control of the tumour. This phase is characterised by high tumour mutational burden due to selective immune pressure. (D) Escape is caused by the increased selective pressure caused by the immune system leading the tumour to acquire immune evasion, resulting in uncontrolled tumour proliferation. Arrow indicates increasing Tumour heterogeneity and Immune selection. Figure adapted from “Cancer Immunoediting”, by BioRender.com (2023). Retrieved from https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates, accessed on 10 February 2024.