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Review: Analogies Between Trophoblastic and Malignant Cells
Author(s) -
Mullen Catherine A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1998.tb00332.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cancer research , chemistry , biology
PROBLEM: The question of how trophoblastic and malignant cells evade immunologic recognition and rejection by their host was studied. METHOD OF STUDY: A literature review was conducted. RESULTS: Trophoblastic and malignant cells share a number of similarities. These include a lack of major histocompatibility complex antigen expression, resistance to lysis by natural killer cells, T‐helper cell‐2 (TH2)‐biased response, prostaglandin E production, and response to transforming growth factor beta. In addition, the analogies between trophoblastic and malignant cells extend into immunotherapy in which anti‐idiotype therapy has a viable role in the prevention of pregnancy loss and the treatment of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Trophoblastic and malignant cells use a number of similar mechanisms to resist rejection by their host. By using similar strategies these cells are able to successfully co‐exist in an immunologically hostile environment.