On immunosurveillance in human cancer

Yale J Biol Med. 1982 May-Aug;55(3-4):329-33.

Abstract

The extraordinarily high incidence of cancers of many different varieties--carcinomas and lymphomas--in organ-transplant patients being maintained for long periods of time with immunosuppressive drugs is briefly reviewed. The role of immunosurveillance as a primary defense mechanism against cancer in human beings is consistent with these observations and is in need of further investigation. Conceivably, this mechanism may play a somewhat different role in humans from what has been observed in most experimental animal models.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Cyclosporins / therapeutic use
  • Genes
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular*
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Immunologic Surveillance*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Cyclosporins
  • Immunosuppressive Agents