Definition: The body's immune system is a complex and integrated collection of organs and cells that protects the body against disease. It includes cells such as T cells, phagocytes, B lymphocytes (the white blood cells that produce antibodies), macrophages, and many more. Organs, tissues and glands involved in the immune response include the thymus, tonsils, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. Immune cells are continually patrolling the body and reacting to any foreign substance, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or transformed cancer cells. Tumors can develop when this surveillance system breaks down, is fooled, or is overwhelmed. Skin cancer is one of the few cancers that responds to treatments that target the immune system.
Doctors have found that melanoma, even when widespread, can spontaneously regress. These rare instances seem to be related to a patient's developing immunity to the melanoma. Because of this knowledge, much research in the treatment of melanoma has focused on ways to get patients' own immune system to fight their cancer. For example, the currently approved immunotherapy treatments for melanoma are interleukin-2 and interferon-alfa2b. Multiple vaccines and antibodies against melanoma are also being developed in clinical trials. This strategy is also effective in other skin cancers: immune system activators such as the topical cream imiquimod are used to treat some forms of basal cell carcinomaand squamous cell carcinoma.
Also Known As: immune response, body's defenses, white blood cells, natural defenses, antibodies, natural resistance
