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The Immune System and Responses to Cancer: Coordinated Evolution
Brendon J Coventry1, Maciej Henneberg2,3
1Discipline of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.
F1000Research
|February 5, 2021
Summary
The immune system and somatic cells have co-evolved over millions of years, shaping each other through interactions with microbes and aberrant cells. This intricate evolutionary dance influences cancer development and immunity, paving the way for novel therapies.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Immunology
- Cancer biology
Background:
- The immune system's evolution is deeply intertwined with somatic evolution and environmental pressures.
- Microbes and aberrant somatic cells, including cancer cells, continuously shape immune system development over millions of years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the co-evolutionary relationship between the immune system and somatic evolution.
- To contextualize the relatively recent study of the human immune system within its deep evolutionary history.
- To examine the connections between immunity, infection, and cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of evolutionary history spanning hundreds of millions of years.
- Analysis of the interplay between microbial, somatic, and immune system evolution.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on immune surveillance of aberrant cells.
Main Results:
- The immune system and somatic cells have undergone simultaneous adaptive changes.
- The immune system has evolved to combat infections and eliminate damaged or cancerous cells.
- Understanding this co-evolution offers insights into cancer and immune therapies.
Conclusions:
- The immune system is a highly evolved and efficient protective mechanism.
- The co-evolutionary perspective is crucial for comprehending immunity, infection, and cancer.
- Further understanding of these evolutionary dynamics can drive advancements in therapeutic strategies.
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