Immunity plays an important role in the defense against infection. Studies by several investigators based on this hypothesis led to the recognition that there is a common link between malignancies and your immune system. Investigations on how your genes contribute to your immunity and what triggers your immune system or makes you more susceptible to cancer are still not fully understood.
MyHappyGenes is dedicated to helping individuals achieve healthy outcomes through knowledge of DNA and Genetics. By understanding your DNA you can better understand your health outcomes. Here are a couple of articles we have written on that subject.
Immune System Dysfunction
The immune system has the B cell “arm” that makes antibodies, known as humoral immunity, and the T cell “arm” known as cellular immunity. If you are having trouble making new T cells, in particular, T suppressor cells, then the immune response may become more heavily weighted in the direction of B cells. B cell skewed individual has the ability to respond by making antibodies (or autoantibodies) in high numbers to attempt to overcome the T cell deficiency that fights infection.
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Susceptibility to Cancer
Undermethylation of the entire genome is referred to as global hypomethylation. Global hypomethylation, when it is paired with over methylation of highly-select repeated regions of the gene, is associated with both aging and cancer. Both undermethylation of tumor-causing genes (no turn OFF) and over methylation of tumor-suppressing genes (turned OFF) have been well characterized as contributing factors to cancer.