Investigating The Role Of Immune System In Cancer Development And Treatment

Abstract

Cancer is a complex disease with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle aetiology. Genetic factors are the hereditary elements that influence certain traits being expressed, whereas environmental factors are due to the exposure to carcinogenic substances in our daily setting. Lifestyle factors are the behaviours the individual carries out, which increases the risk of cancer formation. The immune system plays a complicated role in development and prevention of cancer as well as its treatment. While a robust immune response can identify and eliminate malignant cells in early stages, tumour cells often evade immune detection through various mechanisms such as immune checkpoint signalling and microenvironment remodelling. Alternatively, tumour cells can evade immune detection through reducing the expression of tumour-associated antigens (TAAs) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules- which are vital for cytotoxic T cell recognition. Advancements in cancer treatment, including gene therapy and immunotherapy, have revolutionised the treatment landscape beyond conventional methods, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Improvements in surgery allow for a precise removal of tumours alongside the use of radiation allowing for an improved outcome of the removal of cancer. Furthermore, new drug regimens for combination therapy show promising outcomes as a treatment of cancer in the near future. This article investigates the dynamic interplay between the immune system and cancer, emphasising the mechanisms of immune surveillance, evasion, and suppression by tumours in hopes of improving patient care and outcome.