Scientists Find That The Human Body Kills Spontaneous Cancers Daily

WakeUpWorld  February 11 2014

cancerCellIt takes no more than 100 seconds for the body’s immune cells to identify and kill a cancer cell. Immune cells undergo ‘spontaneous’ changes on a daily basis that could lead to cancers if not for the diligent surveillance of our immune system, Melbourne scientists have found.

A research team from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute found that the immune system is responsible for eliminating potentially cancerous immune B cells in their early stages, before they developed into B-cell lymphomas (also known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas). The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Medicine.

The immune system’s basic task is to recognize “self” (the body’s own cells) and “nonself” (an antigen – a virus, fungus, bacterium, or any piece of foreign tissue, as well as some toxins). To deal with nonself or antigens, the system manufactures specialized cells – white blood cells – to recognize infiltrators and eliminate them.

We all come into the world with some innate immunity. As we interact with our environment, the immune system becomes more adept at protecting us. This is called acquired immunity.

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