The Human Cancer Inflammation & Immunity Crosstalk RT2 Profiler PCR Array profiles the expression of 84 key genes involved in mediating communication between tumor cells and the cellular mediators of inflammation and immunity. In addition to epithelial and stromal compartments, the tumor microenvironment contains several cell types of the innate and adaptive immune systems including B and T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages. In response to tumor-associated antigens presented via MHC Class I molecules, or to abnormal molecular patterns recognized by Toll-like receptors, the immune system eliminates target cells using a variety of effector enzymes and the engagement of pro-apoptotic signals including TRAIL and FAS ligand. If normal homeostasis is not resolved quickly, a state of chronic inflammation can ensue, including locally increased levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that promote genomic instability. Immune cells produce a variety of cytokines that coordinate the inflammatory response, which is fueled by positive feedback loops commonly involving the STAT and NFκB signaling pathways in tumor cells. The resulting upregulation of antiapoptotic and immunosuppressive factors enables transformed cells to proliferate unchecked by the immune system. During cancer progression, the repertoire of chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors that orchestrates normal immune responses can be commandeered to create an immunosuppressive state that facilitates invasion and metastasis. The genes profiled with this array include mediators and effectors of the cross-talk between tumors and the immune system that influences the course of cancer progression. A set of controls present on each array enables data analysis using the ΔΔCT method of relative quantification as well as assessment of reverse transcription performance, genomic DNA contamination, and PCR performance. Using real-time PCR, researchers can easily and reliably analyze the expression of a focused panel of genes involved in cancer inflammation and immune crosstalk with this array.

The RT2 Profiler PCR Arrays are intended for molecular biology applications. This product is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.