Journal of Cancer Immunology & Therapy

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Short Communication - Journal of Cancer Immunology & Therapy (2023) Volume 6, Issue 2

Harnessing the power of the immune system to fight cancer

Hong Peng*

Department of Pathology, Central South University, Changsha, China

*Corresponding Author:
Hong Peng
Department of Pathology
Central South University
Changsha, China
E-mail:peng.hong@csu.edu.cn

Received: 27-Mar-2023, Manuscript No. AAJCIT-23-94459; Editor assigned: 29-Mar-2023, PreQC No. AAJCIT-23-94459(PQ); Reviewed: 12-Apr-2023, QC No. AAJCIT-23-94459; Revised: 17-Apr-2023, Manuscript No. AAJCIT-23-94459(R); Published: 24-Apr-2023, DOI: 10.35841/aajcit-6.2.137

Citation: Peng H. Harnessing the power of the immune system to fight cancer. J Cancer Immunol Ther. 2023;6(2):137

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Introduction

Cancer immunology is a rapidly evolving field of study that aims to understand how the immune system responds to cancer and how it can be harnessed to develop new cancer treatments. The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that work together to protect the body from harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. However, cancer cells can evade the immune system by developing various strategies to avoid detection and destruction. In this article, we will explore the basics of cancer immunology and how it is being used to develop new cancer therapies [1].

The immune system and cancer

The immune system is made up of different types of cells, including white blood cells such as T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. These cells work together to identify and eliminate foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. Cancer cells, however, are not foreign substances, but rather the body's own cells that have mutated and started to grow uncontrollably. Therefore, the immune system must be able to distinguish between normal cells and cancer cells to eliminate the latter [2].

The immune system is equipped with several mechanisms to recognize and destroy cancer cells. One such mechanism is the recognition of tumor-specific antigens, which are unique proteins that are expressed on the surface of cancer cells. T cells, which are specialized white blood cells, can recognize and bind to these antigens, leading to the destruction of cancer cells.

Another mechanism is the activation of immune checkpoints, which are proteins that regulate the immune response. Cancer cells can exploit these checkpoints to evade the immune system by producing proteins that bind to these checkpoints and prevent T cells from attacking them. Therefore, blocking these checkpoints can enhance the immune response against cancer cells and promote their destruction [3].

Immunotherapy for cancer

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the patient's own immune system to fight cancer. There are several types of immunotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that can target specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells. By binding to these proteins, they can interfere with the growth and spread of cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies can also be used to deliver drugs or radiation directly to cancer cells. Cancer vaccines are a type of immunotherapy that can stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Cancer vaccines can be made from cancer cells or from specific proteins found on the surface of cancer cells. They can be used to prevent cancer from developing or to treat existing cancer.

Adoptive cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that involves the transfer of T cells from the patient or a donor to attack cancer cells. T cells can be modified in the laboratory to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that recognize and bind to tumor-specific antigens, leading to the destruction of cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy that blocks the proteins that cancer cells use to evade the immune system. By blocking these proteins, immune checkpoint inhibitors can enhance the immune response against cancer cells and promote their destruction. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of several types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and bladder cancer [4].

Challenges in cancer immunology

Despite the promising results of immunotherapy, there are still several challenges in cancer immunology that need to be addressed. One challenge is the identification of new tumor-specific antigens that can be targeted by T cells. Many cancer cells do not express unique antigens, which can make it difficult for the immune system to distinguish between normal cells and cancer cells [5].

Conclusion

Cancer immunology is a rapidly advancing field that holds great promise for the development of new cancer therapies. By understanding how the immune system responds to cancer and how cancer cells evade immune recognition, researchers have been able to develop novel immunotherapies that harness the power of the immune system to fight cancer. However, there are still many challenges in cancer immunology that need to be addressed, such as the identification of new tumor-specific antigens and the development of resistance to immunotherapy. Despite these challenges, the progress in cancer immunology in recent years has been remarkable, and it is expected to continue to revolutionize cancer treatment in the future. With continued research and development, cancer immunotherapy may one day become a primary mode of cancer treatment.

References

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