Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2008 Fall;6(4):158-68.

Breast cancer and the immune system

Leanna J Standish  1 , Erin S Sweet, Jeffrey Novack, Cynthia A Wenner, Carly Bridge, Ana Nelson, Mark Martzen, Carolyn Torkelson
Affiliations
Review

Breast cancer and the immune system

Leanna J Standish et al. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2008 Fall.

Abstract

This article reviews the evidence that the functioning of both the innate and the adaptive immune system plays a role in preventing relapse in women with breast cancer. Lymphocytes, including T cells, T regulatory cells, and natural killer cells, and their cytokine release patterns are implicated in both primary prevention and recurrence of breast cancer. Cancer prognosis may be related to immune system functional status. The hypothesis that the immune system has a causal role in breast cancer etiology is supported by epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical research. Empirical support for the concept that immune status and immunomodulatory therapy have important roles in comprehensive breast cancer treatment is provided.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Melief CJ, Kast WM. Lessons from T cell responses to virus induced tumours for cancer eradication in general. Cancer Surv. 1992;13:81–99. - PubMed
    1. Cunningham-Rundles S, Filippa DA, Braun DW, Jr, et al. Natural cytotoxicity of peripheral blood lymphocytes and regional lymph node cells in breast cancer in women. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1981;67:585–590. - PubMed
    1. Levy S, Herberman R, Lippman M, d’Angelo T. Correlation of stress factors with sustained depression of natural killer cell activity and predicted prognosis in patients with breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 1987;5:348–353. - PubMed
    1. Strayer DR, Carter WA, Mayberry SD, et al. Low natural cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in individuals with high familial incidences of cancer. Cancer Res. 1984;44:370–374. - PubMed
    1. Schantz SP, Peters LJ. Patterns of recurrence from head and neck cancer. An immunologic perspective. Am J Clin Oncol. 1987;10:469–474. - PubMed

Publication types

Substances

LinkOut - more resources