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. 2017 Feb 6;6(4):e1288330. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2017.1288330

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

Working model. (A) The immune-activated phenotype of CRC is characterized by low expression of miR-34a and miR-93, activation of interferon signaling and expression of STAT1, IRF-1 and IRF-5 in the tumor microenvironment. Tumors of this phenotype are strongly infiltrated by CTLs releasing cytotoxic effector molecules, frequently have a microsatellite instable genotype and show upregulation of ICAM-1 on tumor cells. Patients with a high ISG-score have a significantly reduced risk of presenting with a distant metastasis. (B) The immune-quiescent phenotype of CRC is characterized by silencing of ISG through miR-34a and miR-93 in the tumor microenvironment and reduced of T-cell activation. Expression of cytotoxic effector molecules in CTL is infrequent. Lack of ICAM-1 may make tumors of this phenotype less amenable to CTL-infiltration and resistant to immune-mediated tumor destruction. Tumors of this phenotype frequently have a microsatellite stable genotype. Patients with a low ISG-score have a significantly increased risk of presenting with distant metastasis.