Fig. 5

Microorganism-derived antigens (MoAs) as anti-cancer strategy. (A) The exposure to a large number of microorganisms or the combination with preventive vaccines based on MoAs eventually lead to a broad memory T cell repertoire. This is promptly activated by a tumor presenting shared antigens leading to cancer regression. (B) The exposure to a limited number of microorganisms elicits a narrow memory T cell repertoire and a cancer may develop and progress. A therapeutic vaccine based on MoAs may elicit an effector anti-cancer T cell response against shared tumor antigens leading to cancer regression