Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology
Volume 75, Issue 2 , Pages 165-172, August 2010

Immunosenescence and cancer☆

Tübingen Ageing and Tumour Immunology Group, Center for Medical Research, University of Tübingen Clinical School, Waldhörnlestr. 22, D-72072 Tübingen, Germany

Received 9 September 2009; received in revised form 26 February 2010; accepted 17 March 2010.

Abstract 

Age is a major risk factor for many cancers. Although this is usually viewed in the context of the cell biology, we argue here that age-associated changes to immunity may also contribute to the age-associated increasing incidence of most cancers. This is because cancers are immunogenic (at least initially), and the immune system can and does protect against tumourigenesis. However, immune competence tends to decrease with age, a phenomenon loosely termed “immunosenescence”, implying that decreased immunosurveillance against cancer could also contribute to increased disease in the elderly. This review weighs some of the evidence for and against this possibility.

Keywords: Immunosenescence, Immune exhaustion, Cytomegalovirus, Chronic antigenic stress

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

☆ This article was originally published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology 2010;1:22–6. This article is republished with kind permission from the Journal of Geriatric Oncology.

PII: S1040-8428(10)00155-1

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2010.06.012

Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology
Volume 75, Issue 2 , Pages 165-172, August 2010

Article Tools