V. Savinov, Moscow
«THE ROLE OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN METASTATIC SPREADING OF CANCER».
According to our concept, cancer selectively metastasizes into the immune system, i.e. bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, lymphoid tissue associated with other organs (liver, lungs, etc.). In place of the existing notion about the passive transfer of the metastasizing cancerous cell together with the blood blow, and a random implantation in one of the most weak spots, it has been suggested that an active seizure of a cancerous cell by an immunocompetent cell occurs together with its programmed migration caused by the phenomenon of homing. Apparently, in some cases, immunocyte (macrophage) incorporates » a larger piece than it can swallow» and, after perishing, it forms a focus of metastatic growth in its own domain. Obviously, one should attach greater attention to the role of the immune system in carcinogenesis.
The European Journal of Cancer, — 1991. — v.27, suppl.3. — p.37.