Gut Bacteria Allied with the Immune System – Against Cancer

Immunity is the body’s resistance to infectious agents and foreign substances that cause changes in cells and tissues. If not everything, then a lot depends on immunity in the body. When our defense system is “broken”, the body is destroyed by microbes and the person dies. How does our immunity work? What means help protect it and restore the body’s resources in case of serious illnesses?

Human immune system

The immune system arose in the process of evolution and developed as a factor contributing to natural selection and survival. Its biological meaning is to ensure the genetic integrity of the organism throughout life. The main tasks of immunity are performed by its cells – macrophages. These are white blood cells that, with the help of their receptors, study “hostile” cells and fight them, as well as remove toxins, decay or stagnation products from the body, and collect the remains of dead cells. Thanks to them, metabolic processes work properly – metabolism, restoration of the body’s strength after serious illnesses and skin regeneration (for example, wound healing).

The role of intestinal bacteria in the immune system

The functioning of the immune system directly depends on the state of our gastrointestinal tract, the number and types of microorganisms inhabiting it, and their interaction. The gut is a paradise for bacteria. According to a number of studies ^[1], it contains about 80% of the immunocompetent cells of our body, which actively interact with the microorganisms inhabiting it. The latter stimulate the production of our body’s own protective factors and effectively prevent the colonization of dangerous pathogenic bacteria. Harmful microbes are also present in the body, they keep local immunity and good bacteria in good shape so that they are ready in case of invasion of parasitic microbes from outside.

Bacteria of the intestinal microflora are involved in the maturation and activation of cells of the intestinal immune system, and also play an important role in triggering antiviral responses. Most of the T cells that produce interferon-gamma (a substance that suppresses the spread of viruses) are found in our digestive system. And it is the specific bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract that stimulate the synthesis of interferon-gamma by these cells.

Causes of reduced immunity

There are a number of factors that can affect the stability of the immune system. For example, malnutrition leads to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, which is responsible for the optimal state of the immune system. And fatty or smoked foods can damage the liver, an organ that filters the blood and removes toxins from the body. Smoking harms no less: tobacco smoke carcinogens enter the body and affect it at the cellular level. Smoking leads not only to an imbalance in the immune system, but also contributes to the development of inflammatory and oncological processes. Lack of healthy physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle inhibits metabolic processes, slows down blood circulation, which also affects immunity.

Tumor and immunity

The immune system is able to effectively recognize and destroy degenerated own cells, from which malignant tumors can develop. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Mutated cells are able to lull the immune system, and a violation of antitumor immunity leads to the development of malignant neoplasms and their growth. To activate the immune system, you need to find out the mechanisms that tumor cells use to suppress the immune response, or provide the immune system with the necessary components to fight. In modern medicine, there is a means to solve this problem – immunotherapy. It includes several methods of treatment, which are based on a detailed understanding of the interaction of the body and malignant tumors. Each method works in its own way, but all of them are aimed at launching the potential of a person’s own immunity, creating conditions for recognizing cancer cells and destroying them. How it works?

Types of immunotherapy

The concept of “immunotherapy” includes several types of treatment:

1. Monoclonal antibodies

These are variants of immune system proteins created by scientists in laboratories. These artificial proteins act like human antibodies in the immune system. They attach to an antigen on cancer cells and act as a marker. Thus, the antibody attracts immune cells, and those cells attack cancer cells.

2. Checkpoint Inhibitors

Inhibitors remove the suppression of the protective functions of the immune system, after which the body begins to fight the tumor. It’s important to understand that they don’t target the tumor directly, they target checkpoints (molecules of certain immune cells) to make them work to their full potential.

3. Immunity modulators

Modulators are aimed at the overall work of immunity. Such drugs activate the work of the body’s defenses as a whole and do not have a specific target for cancer cells.

4. Cellular immunotherapy

This method of treatment involves the work of the body’s own immune cells. The patient’s cells are multiplied in the laboratory, activating them against the tumor, then injected back into the body to fight the pathology.

Increased immunity

Immunity reflects the state of the whole organism, therefore, if you feel weak, get tired quickly and often get sick, you need to take a comprehensive approach to solving this problem. First of all, lead a healthy lifestyle. Adhere to the principles of a balanced diet, get rid of bad habits, drink more pure non-carbonated water. Also spend more time outdoors, give the body feasible physical activity. Once a year, it is necessary to undergo a scheduled examination by a therapist to monitor the general state of health.

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