Cancer and the Immune System: A Study of Cytokine Communication with Macrophages

Authors

Charles Daniel Knechtel, Brigham Young University
Dr. Kim O'Neill, Brigham Young University

Keywords

cancer, immune system, cytokine communication, macrophages

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

Macrophages are a part of the early immune system that interacts with abnormal and foreign cells in your body. They are a non-specific defense system that engulfs foreign cells or stimulates other immune system cells to respond. We know they can play a role in fighting cancer, or promoting it, but we don’t fully understand how. According to Frontiers in Bioscience May 2008, “At late stages tumor-associated macrophages are known to produce molecules directly promoting tumor growth, invasion and metastasis….however, if properly activated, macrophages may control initial tumor development”(Nardin, A., Astado, J. 2008). Cytokines are small signaling molecules that play an integral part in this interaction and the purpose of this study was to identify which are significantly altering our immune system’s ability to deal with cancer.

Recommended Citation

Knechtel, Charles Daniel and O'Neill, Dr. Kim (2013) "Cancer and the Immune System: A Study of Cytokine Communication with Macrophages," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1329.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1329