Immune System in Cancer

Abstract

Our immune system is a dynamic environment that is orchestrated by a network of immune cells and signalling molecules and is differentially expressed and regulated at different stages of life. Interestingly, components of the immune system function differently under diseased or non-diseased state, healthy or immune-deficient state. Cancer is generally regarded as a genetic disease and caused from inflammation. Due to the complex nature of the disease, it is necessary to understand how the immune system responses in a tumor environment. A detailed understanding on the cancer immuno-biology will enable formulation of appropriate treatment strategies for cancer.

Keywords: Circulating tumor cells, Cytokines, Dendritic cells, Immuno-escape, Immune-surveillance, Immuno-system, Regulatory T cells, Tumor associated antigens, Tumor derived factors, Tumor specific antigens.