Immune System May Speed Growth of Cancer

According to an article on the BBC's website last month, an overactive immune system may be one of the greatest causes of cancer.

White blood cells and other molecules involved in the immune system usually act to fight off infections and promote healing naturally. According to Dr Ken O'Byrne of the University of Leicester "one of the biggest mysteries of cancer is why the body allows cells to build up cancerous mutations, when it has an immune system that ought to stop this from happening".

Experts now believe that an over-active immune system causes body tissue to become inflamed, which may lead to the development of cancer.

Over-stimulation of the immune system is believed to be caused by carcinogens such as tobacco smoke which have already been linked to increased risk of cancer.

Researchers argue the immune system can act against the body in a number of ways:

- Immune Cells can fight to mistakenly protect and nurture cancerous cells.
The immune system promotes blood vessel growth in affected areas to speed the dispersal of immune cells. Extra blood supply can feed the growth of cancerous cells.
Many immune system molecules are highly chemically reactive and in the presence of other chemicals, may attack DNA, causing cancerous mutations.

The immune system is responsible for allergic reactions, inflammation and fighting infection. Many conditions can be attributed to an over-active immune system which acts against the body's best interests.

Monday, 10 September 2001