Fig. 3

Flow chart showing the point of action for screened drugs. Tumor cell cytotoxicity is mainly achieved by effector T-cells and NK cells, which results in antigen release and reduction in tumor size. Release of antigens along with cellular components such as danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) result in maturation of DCs and macrophages, which present antigens and activate the T-cells, and promote their differentiation into effector T-cells. Tumor size is known to negatively affect the activity of effector T-cells and NK cells. Similarly, presence of immunosuppressor cells in tumor microenvironment and exhaustion have negative effects on the activity of effector T-cells and NK cells. Finally, decreased infiltration of effector T-cells and NK cells in the tumor also leads to decreased anti-tumor immune response. In the flow diagram, all the major processes that control the anti-tumor immune response are presented as nodes. (+) indicates positive effect of the molecule/target on the node and (-) indicates inhibitory effect of the molecule/target on the node