To spread, skin cancer attacks immune dendritic cells

(PhysOrg.com) -- Dendritic cells are the sentinels of the immune system. When they`re alert and on guard, they will marshal the body`s immunosoldiers, T cells, to battle at the sight of harmful pathogens. But some diseases, such as cancer, are able to escape their watchful eye. By knocking out or beguiling dendritic cells, they slip the defenses of the immune system and sack the unsuspecting body. New research shows that one of the most common types of skin cancer has learned such a trick, finding a way to disable apparently healthy dendritic cells, which then allow cancer cell nests to spread around them without calling T cells to the fight.

Read the whole article on Physorg

More from Physorg

Related