Cancer immunotherapy: Role of the immune system in malignant transformation

Abstract

The immune system is the body's primary defense mechanism and functions by recognizing specific antigens through receptors in the cell membrane. Immunoediting is based on the theory that cancer cells are influenced by the immunological environment in which they develop and consists of three phases: recognition, equilibrium, and elimination. Moreover, chronic inflammation contributes to malignant transformation by acting as a promoter of genetic mutations that provide neoplastic cells with the ability to proliferate uncontrollably, while allowing them to develop mechanisms to evade recognition by immune cells. Immunotherapy emerges as a promising type of treatment against neoplasms that fail to respond to conventional treatment in an adequate manner while offering the possibility of reducing the adverse effects associated with conventional treatments.