Fw: Immune system blamed for cancer ~ British Journal of Cancer

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From: " Ilena Rose " <ilena@...>

Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 11:49 PM

Subject: Immune system blamed for cancer ~ British Journal of Cancer

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1496000/1496398.stm

>

> Friday, 17 August, 2001, 23:30 GMT 00:30 UK

> Immune system blamed for cancer

>

> The immune system may help to create tumours

>

> Long-term over-activation of the immune system may be the single most

> important cause of cancer, say experts.

>

> When the immune system goes into over-drive it leads to inflammation of

> the tissues.

>

> Many scientists agree that this inflammation may play a role in the

> development of cancer.

>

> An inflamed tissue is a melting pot of cancer-causing molecules

>

> Professor Angus Dalgleish However, a new report suggests that the

> importance of this role may have previously been under-estimated.

>

> The authors argue that long-standing over-activation of the immune system

> is the key event in the genesis of many forms of the disease.

>

> The research could herald an entirely new approach to both preventing and

> treating cancer.

>

> Drug therapy

>

> It raises the prospect that some existing anti-inflammatory drugs -

> currently front-line treatments for conditions like arthritis and

> inflammatory bowel disease - could be used to keep cancer at bay.

>

> According to conventional wisdom, cancer has a variety of causes.

>

> But Dr Ken O'Byrne, of the University of Leicester, and Professor Angus

> Dalgleish of St 's Hospital in London argue that many of these

> factors work in the same way - by switching on the immune system for too

> long.

>

> Dr O'Byrne said: " 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.

>

> " But we think that when the immune system overcooks, perhaps because of

> long-term exposure to an infection or carcinogenic chemical, it loses its

> ability to fight disease and instead may actually begin to nurture and

> protect young cancer cells.

>

> " If we could calm the immune system down with certain anti-inflammatory

> drugs, we might be able to reduce the rates of many common cancers. "

>

> Kicked into action

>

> This review makes a fascinating case for the link between exhausted

> immunity, chronic inflammation and cancer

>

> Dr Berrington Tissues become inflamed when the immune system is

> kicked into action by injury, infection or an allergic reaction.

>

> White blood cells and molecules involved in the immune response are

> produced to fight off infection and aid the healing process.

>

> But the same molecules that stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissues

> may also play a part in the birth of cancer and accelerate its growth and

> spread.

>

> The researchers argue that continually switching on the immune system

> encourages cancer in a number of ways:

>

> * Immune cells that would normally kill developing cancer cells can be

> switched off.

> * Immunity for healthy cells can be spread to cancer cells too.

> * Blood vessel growth is stimulated, providing nutrition for cancer cells

> * Many immune system molecules are extremely chemically reactive, and may

> actually cause cancerous mutations by attacking DNA.

> The researchers believe that nearly all carcinogens work by over-cooling

> the immune system. For instance, tobacco smoke can cause long-term

> inflammation.

>

> They also believe that cancer might cause inflammation too, thus creating

> the conditions needed to boost the growth and spread of the disease.

>

> Professor Dalgleish said: " An inflamed tissue is a melting pot of

> cancer-causing molecules, so what better way for a cancer cell to give

> itself a helping hand that by learning to copy those very same conditions?

>

>

> " Of course this means that some anti-inflammatory pills might not only

> help in preventing cancer, but in treating the disease too. "

>

> Dr Berrington, Science Information Manager for The Cancer Research

> Campaign, said: " This review makes a fascinating case for the link between

> exhausted immunity, chronic inflammation and cancer.

>

> " It's essential that we look at all the evidence, although much of it at

> the moment is circumstantial. "

>

> The report is featured in the British Journal of Cancer.

>

>