Beneficial autoimmunity improves cancer prognosis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Autoimmunity

Background:

• Tumor antigens not arising from mutations are immune targets, even when expressed on non-malignant cells.
• Immune recognition of self-antigens on normal cells can trigger autoimmune reactions, leading to conditions like vitiligo and thyroiditis.
• Autoimmune adverse events from immune-checkpoint inhibitors can predict positive therapeutic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of "beneficial autoimmunity" in cancer.
• To discuss spontaneous and therapy-induced autoimmunity correlating with favorable disease outcomes.
• To highlight the potential role of beneficial autoimmunity in cancer immunosurveillance and advanced disease management.

Main Methods:

• Review of spontaneous and therapy-induced autoimmune events in cancer patients.
• Analysis of correlations between autoimmune manifestations and disease prognosis.
• Discussion of the immunological mechanisms underlying beneficial autoimmunity.

Main Results:

• Autoimmune reactions against non-malignant cells can occur alongside cancer treatment.
• These autoimmune events, including vitiligo and thyroiditis, correlate with favorable prognoses in melanoma, thyroid, and lung cancers.
• Autoimmune adverse events in patients receiving immune-checkpoint inhibitors show positive predictive value for therapeutic success.

Conclusions:

• Autoimmunity, particularly in cancers from less essential stem cells, may indicate a "beneficial autoimmunity" that aids tumor destruction.
• Beneficial autoimmunity is a significant factor in favorable disease outcomes for advanced cancers.
• This phenomenon holds potential importance for cancer immunosurveillance and treatment strategies.