Skin cancer and its effects on immune system

Skin cancer and its effects on immune system

Human body is a complex machine; it can only work well and in an efficient manner if all the systems in it are working in a proper and a regular manner. Almost every disease affects the metabolic functions of the body and which in turn affects the immune system of the body in a negative manner. Thus resulting in alarming condition, as immune system is the most integral part of the body’s defensive mechanism against the pathogens and undesirable agents invading the body.  The best example of such metabolic disorders is cancerous melanoma, lymphomas, carcinomas etc. Besides, skin cancer which is one of the most common form of the cancer is really a threat to the body’s immune system as in its later stages it is quite lethal.

                Recently researchers from the United Kingdom have found that a type of skin cancer can greatly wear off the body’s immune system resulting in the real serious complications. It has been concluded by the analysis of the patients with the skin melanoma that in this case the immune system of the patients is in a declining phase of its body’s defensive mechanism. This condition in combination with the onslaught of the skin melanoma has become a challenge for researchers and other health professionals to cope with this problem effectively, as the results are quite confusing.

                At first, the researchers from the Kings College found that the antibodies produced in response can attack melanoma somehow, while immune system was not that efficient as it should be. However, latest research in this regard has some different picture, by revealing the fact that the subtypes of the antibodies which were produced due to the melanoma were almost completely ineffective. Recently, samples taken from almost 80 patients reveal that the antibodies attracted by the tumor (melanoma) were IgG1, which were weak in their response to the melanoma. These antibodies in turn also play a role in the functionality of the comparatively stronger antibodies i.e. IgG4 which is also as ineffective in their response to tumor as is IgG1. 

At this moment researchers and scientists from the United Kingdom and from around the globe still need time to completely understand this condition which is discussed above. Now the point to ponder is to counteract the activities of antibody IgG1, as it is not only showing a weaker response to the melanoma but it is also acting against other stronger antibodies.

                Scientists like Dr Kat Arney, Dr Sophie Karagiannis etc. claim that there is a still a lot to do in the field of skin cancer. The research mentioned above in its early or developmental stage. Scientists still need time to solve this complex puzzle as right now it has proved confusing. Moreover, amount of the IgG4 antibody in the body can serve as a test to find out the severity of the melanoma. Skin cancer treatment and all other forms of the cancer are in its developmental stage; however mankind can always expect miracles from science serve as a test.