What Can One Do to Reduce the Chances of Getting Cancer (5)

Adaptive immune system

The adaptive immune comprises primarily two types of white blood cells, T lymphocytes (T cells) and B lymphocytes (B cells).  Lymphocytes are found mostly in lymph nodes; lymph nodes are located under the arms, in the neck, groin, and abdomen.  The spleen and thymus are also important lymphoid organs.  Both T cells and B cells are produced in the bone marrow; however, T cells mature in the thymus (thus also called Thymus cells), but B cells mature in the bone marrow (thus, also called bone marrow derived cells).  The adaptive (acquired) immune system is specific to individual pathogens. 

Some T cells recognize the invader and send cytokines to the immune system to counter the invaders.  Some T cells recognize the invader and kill the infected cells directly.  Yet some T cells assist B cells to make antibodies. 

B cells express B cell receptors (BCRs) on the surface to help bind to specific antigens and initiate specific antibody response.  The Y shaped antibodies are made by B cells with the assistance of T cells.  Antibodies match and stick to antigens on the surface of the invader as special labels for the immune system to attack. 

The adaptive immune system remembers the antigen and is able to produce a quick antibody response if the same pathogen invades again.

If a human body is a nation, the adaptive immune system is similar to more flexible specific/special defense forces, such as FBI, CIA, local police, or national guards, which is more specific, more flexible, and more task-oriented.  As the name may imply, adaptive immune system is adjustable to its environment and is antigen-specific.  Its response is tailored to specific foreign invaders (pathogens or pathogen infected cells).  The amazing power of adaptive immune system is that the specific response to a specific pathogen is maintained in the body for a very long time so that when the body is attacked by the same pathogen again, the adaptive immune system will fight against it quickly.

In cancer patients, sometimes the body’s natural defense system is not functioning satisfactorily.  Therefore, when cancer cells are present, they are not detected or destroyed, but allowed to grow without much resistance.  This is why restoration of the body’s self-defense (immune system) is very important for cancer patients.  

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2017

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I wrote, "IS CANCER IN US", published recently.

Novel/Unconventional Methods for Cancer Treatment (5)

(5) Modulation of the Immune System

      Supposedly, our immune system is well equipped and able to fight against all invaders.  However, cancer cells are very similar to normal cells as we mentioned many times.  As a result, they are camouflaged in many ways so that they can evade T cells to confuse and avoid the immune response.  If we can “remove” some of their camouflage and expose them to the immune system, they may be subject to the defense power of the immune system.  Several drugs in this class are already on the market, including Yervoy by Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Keytruda by Merck & Co both approved for melanoma.  

Based on the current research activities, it seems likely that there will be more cancer drugs in this class coming out in the future.  One important factor to be emphasized for this type of cancer drugs is that patients must have healthy immune system and response so that T cells can “see” cancer cells and destroy them.  This is one of the reasons why it is important for everyone to maintain a healthy immune system. 

The other way to modulate the immune system is to remove some T cells from a patient, genetically modify them (so that they can look for and track cancer cells); these modified T cells are then multiplied in vitro before being returned back to the patient.  On such therapy is called CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell immunotherapy suitable for blood cancers. 

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2016

All contents posted in this blog are extracted from the book "IS CANCER IN US", available at Amazon.

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Although some commercial products, publications, and services are mentioned in this blog, the author does not endorse any specific products, publications, or services.  None of the contents in this blog represents or warrants that any of the products, publications, or services is appropriate or effective for their intended purposes. Readers shall always seek the advice of their physicians or other medical practitioners with any questions regarding personal health or medical conditions and shall be solely responsible for their own decisions and/or actions.