Aging, Immunity, and Cancer
This is a review of the current literature supporting the idea that our immune system is constantly fighting off cancer, and it is the slowing of the immune system response with age that increases our risk for cancer. This really does shed new light on many new therapies coming out that focus on suppressing the immune response, such as the new TNFalpha inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. We don’t fully understand how our bodies work, and blocking a step in this process may have unforeseen consequences.
Cancer Control; JMCC 7(6):513-522, 2000 Background: The prime function of the immune system is to protect the entire organism from a variety of insults and illnesses, including the development of cancer. The question of how age-related declines in immune function contribute to an increasing incidence of malignancies continues to be a focus of discussion and speculation. Conclusions: Senescent decline in immune surveillance leads to the accumulation of cellular and DNA mutations that could be a significant factor in the development of malignancy and programmed cell death or apoptosis observed in the elderly.