How Does the Immune System Influence Cancer Spread?
The immune system plays a dual role in cancer spread. On one hand, it can recognize and destroy cancer cells, thus preventing metastasis. On the other hand, cancer cells can manipulate the immune system to avoid detection and create an immunosuppressive environment that facilitates their spread. For example, tumors can recruit immune cells that normally fight infections to instead support tumor growth and suppress other immune responses. This complex interaction between cancer and the immune system is a key area of research, particularly in the development of immunotherapies.
