IMMUNE SYSTEM AND CANCER
Immune System and Cancer
Much like infectious agents, tumor cells express specific antigens that differentiate them from normal cells1:
T cells can recognize and destroy cells displaying tumor antigens1
B cells drive the production of antibodies directed against tumor antigens1,2
T cell infiltration within tumors is associated with overall survival (OS)
in patients with different cancers.3-4
Learn more by watching Immunotherapy Fights Cancer(2:25)
Immune evasion is now recognized as playing a key role in the origination and development of cancer.
Cancers inhibit the normal immune response through a variety of mechanisms, enabling malignant cells to grow and spread.1,6 Patients with a compromised immune system may have an increased incidence of cancer and are more likely to develop malignant tumors. 7-10
There is a dynamic relationship between a patient’s immune system and tumor cells. Normally, the immune system is capable of eliminating tumor cells.
However, the more compromised or suppressed a patient’s immune system is, the more likely it
is that tumor cells will use evasive techniques to avoid the immune system.11
- Murphy K, Travers P, Walport M, eds. Janeway’s Immunobiology. 7th ed. Garland Science, Taylor & Frances Group, LLC. New York, NY: 2008.
- Namm JP, Li Q, Lao X, et al. J Surg Oncol. 2012;105:431-435.
- Zhang L, et al. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:203-213.
- Galon J, et al. Science. 2006;313:1960-1964.
- Hanahan D, et al. Cell. 2011;144(5):646-674.
- Ribas A, Butterfield LH, Glaspy JA, Economou JS. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21:2415-2432.
- Kasiske BL, Wang C, et al. Am J Transplant. 2004;4(6):905-913.
- Le Mire L, Wojnarowska F, et al. Br J Dermatol. 2006;154(3):472-477.
- Herrero JI. Liver Transpl. 2009;15(suppl 2):S90-S94.
- Abbas AK, Lichtman AH. Basic Immunology. 3rd ed. 2011.
- Dunn GP, et al. Nat Rev Immunol. 2006;6(11):836-848.