Why can't the immune system cure cancer?

The immune system protects the body against illness and infection. It can help to fight cancer. But some cancers or treatments can weaken it. read more

The immune system is involved in killing cancer cells. However, cancer cell evade the immune system by various factors. In fact one of the emerging hallmark of cancer is that cancer cells has the ability to evade immunological destruction, in particular by T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells. read more

Advances in cancer immunotherapy are the result of several decades of basic research, much of it supported by NCI, on how the immune system responds to cancer. Learn how NCI continues to support a wide range of research, from basic research to clinical trials, to advance the field of cancer immunotherapy. read more

Cancer treatments that are more likely to weaken the immune system are: chemotherapy; targeted cancer drugs; radiotherapy; high dose of steroids; You can find information about the different types of cancer treatments. The immune system can help to fight cancer. Some cells of the immune system can recognise cancer cells as abnormal and kill them. read more