In a new study, scientists have explored the relationship between fever and cancer incidence.
The recurring patterns in patient accounts suggest the existence of an inverse relationship between the history of infectious fever and cancer risk which are documented throughout decades of medical literature.
However, evidence supporting this correlation continues to be primarily anecdotal.
Drawing upon previous research and experimental data, the authors argue that repeated exposure to fever enhances the ability of gd T cells to detect cellular abnormalities and to foster inhospitable environments that destroy malignant cells.
This paper is the first to acknowledge the role that gd T cells may play as participants in this inverse relationship.
Infectious fever is the defensive and adaptive reaction that occurs when an organism’s immune system comes into contact with exogenous pyrogens, or pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP). Upon recognition of these exogenous pyrogens, endogenous mediators–also known as endogenous pyrogens–engage the febrile system.
The authors further elaborate on the function of endogenous mediators, like cytokines.
“In short, endogenous mediators of fever redirect metabolic substrates and energy to the immune system during fever. This markedly enhances the frequency of a vast range of immune effectors, including lymphocytes expressing gd heterodimer receptors, which possess a potent anti-infectious and antitumor competence,” wrote authors.
Article Source : BS
