Why can suppression of our immune system lead to cancer?

Answer

The immune system is aimed at distinguishing own tissues from “non-self”. Viruses, bacteria and parasites are not inherent in the first place – they are combated by the immune system. The coronavirus is the most recent example of this. Cancer cells are somewhat different from the body’s own cells and are partially recognized as “foreign” – to put it very simply. The immune system therefore also provides a certain protection against cancer. There are several other aspects

1) During transplantation, non-own (but human) tissue is implanted, such as kidneys, heart and liver. Medication is often required to suppress the immune system (immune system). One of the side effects (especially of the older medications) is an increase in the risk of cancer. Such patients should therefore be closely monitored.

2) Nowadays, immunotherapy has also taken on a major role in the treatment of cancer. So the natural functioning of the immune system is used. But that requires a lot of processing and is very expensive. Immunotherapy does not help against all cancers and does not always have a curative effect, but there has been great progress.

3) Some genes (with defective DNA) such as BCRA1 and BCRA2 can be inherited. If you have either of these as a woman, there is an increased risk of breast cancer. If you have both, the chance of breast cancer is almost 100%. Many other errors in the DNA of cancer cells are not inherited but are created during life by carcinogens and radiation. This causes normal cells to degenerate into cancer cells. This often happens in a series of steps and sometimes that is also the reason why cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapy. Sometimes that can also be a point of departure for immunotherapy.

The story is therefore very complex and currently very incompletely known.