A Possible Link Between Autoimmunity and Cancer

A Close Association of Autoimmune-Mediated Processes and Autoimmune Disorders with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia: Observation from a Single Institution

“…Furthermore, using the hospitalization registry data, Cooper et al [15] showed a significantly higher estimated prevalence of AID at 7.6-9.4% using correction factors. There is ample evidence of a close link between autoimmunity and cancer development [7,16]. Perhaps as a result of this mechanism, the prevalence of an autoimmune phenomenon in MDS and MDS-derived AML appears to be higher (10-17%) compared to the general population [17,18].…”

“…The molecular mimicry with a host antigen results in inappropriate T and B cell self-recognition [5]. The other parameters, including cytokine dysregulation, abnormal signal derived from dendritic cell apoptosis, T and B cell discordance, and T cell bypass, could also play critical roles in autoimmunity [6,7]. Various types of AID have been described and examples include systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, idiopathic throm- bocytopenic purpura (ITP), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), pernicious anemia, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type I), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (previously called Churg-Strauss syndrome), celiac disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), sarcoidosis and Hashimoto's disease [8].…”

Editorial: Endogenous Viral Elements—Links Between Autoimmunity and Cancer?

“…In the present era of checkpoint-inhibition therapy for cancer, this phenomenon is obviously of great clinical importance. On the other hand, patients with some autoimmune diseases have an increased risk of developing cancer (Cristaldi et al, 2011). Hematopoietic neoplasia may be a consequence of prolonged immune cell stimulation by non-clearable auto-antigens.…”