Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays
06:03

Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays

Published on: September 20, 2024

1.4K

Biological and Exploitable Crossroads for the Immune Response in Cancer and COVID-19

Letizia Vitali1,2, Alessandra Merlini1,2, Federica Galvagno1,2

  • 1Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Strada Provinciale 142 Km 3.95, 10060 Candiolo, Italy.

Biomedicines
|October 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cancer patients face severe outcomes from COVID-19 due to treatment effects and patient factors. This review explores shared immune mechanisms between SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer, identifying potential therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disproportionately affected cancer patients.
  • Anticancer treatments and patient characteristics contribute to poor outcomes in COVID-19 cancer patients.
  • The immunopathological mechanisms linking COVID-19 and cancer are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and discuss the immunobiological connections between SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer.
  • To analyze the dynamic behavior of immune responses and signaling pathways in both conditions.
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies at the intersection of COVID-19 and cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of over 4000 published manuscripts and 600 observational/interventional studies.
  • Analysis of cytokine dynamics and immune system signaling pathways in acute and chronic phases of both diseases.
  • Discussion of biological similarities and active connections between SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer share significant immunobiological connections, with the immune response playing a central role in both.
  • Dynamic changes in cytokines and immune pathways are observed across different stages of both COVID-19 and cancer.
  • Similarities in immune dysregulation highlight potential shared vulnerabilities and therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the shared immunopathological mechanisms is crucial for managing COVID-19 in cancer patients.
  • The interplay between immune responses in cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection offers opportunities for novel therapeutic approaches.
  • Further research into these connections may reveal synergistic treatments for both conditions.
Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2cancerimmunityimmunotherapy

More Related Videos

Monitoring the Cancer-Immunity Cycle and Exploring Tumor Microenvironment Dynamics12:19

Monitoring the Cancer-Immunity Cycle and Exploring Tumor Microenvironment Dynamics

Published on: June 7, 2024

1.2K
Gene Knock-in by CRISPR/Cas9 and Cell Sorting in Macrophage and T Cell Lines11:32

Gene Knock-in by CRISPR/Cas9 and Cell Sorting in Macrophage and T Cell Lines

Published on: November 13, 2021

10.7K

Related Concept Videos

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
1.1K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
881
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer01:19

Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer

Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
56
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
639
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
69.7K
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
3.2K