Cellular Effectors that Mediate Immunity
1. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes-protective role against virus-associated neoplasms (EBV, HPV)
2. Natural killer cells (NK)-lymphocytes capable of destroying tumor cells w/o prior sensitization - first line of defense against tumors. After activation with IL-2, NK lyse a variety of tumors (even if they appear to be non-immunogenic to T cells.
complementary anti-tumor mechanisms