Do autochthonous tumors interfere with effector T cell responses?

The assumption that autochthonous tumors interfere with the effector T cell (TE) response implies that they first induce functional T cells. However, if TE are generated, they usually remain functional, persist life-long as memory cells and prevent tumors. This holds true for some virus-induced tumors and is associated with evolutionary pressure. In contrast, models that allow monitoring of tumor antigen-specific T cells suggest that spontaneous autochthonous tumors either sneak through or induce TE too late when the tumor has developed resistance to TE or induce tolerance. This can be explained by the absence of evolutionary pressure.