Exploring the interplay between autoimmunity and cancer to find the target therapeutic hotspots

Abstract

Autoimmunity arises when highly active immune responses are developed against the tissues or substances of one’s own body. It is one of the most prevalent disorders among the old-age population with prospects increasing with age. The major cause of autoimmunity and associated diseases is the dysregulation of host immune surveillance. Impaired repairment of immune system and apoptosis regulation can be seen as major landmarks in autoimmune disorders such as the mutation of p53 gene which results in rheumatoid arthritis, bowel disease which consequently lead to tissue destruction, inflammation and dysfunctioning of body organs. Cytokines mediated apoptosis and proliferation of cells plays a regulatory role in cell cycle and further in cancer development. Anti-TNF therapy, Treg therapy and stem cell therapy have been used for autoimmune diseases, however, with the increase in the use of immunomodulatory therapies and their development for autoimmune diseases and cancer, the understanding of human immune system tends to become an increasing requirement. Hence, the findings associated with the relationship between autoimmune diseases and cancer may prove to be beneficial for the improvement in the health of suffering patients. Here in, we are eliciting the underlying mechanisms which result in autoimmune disorders causing the onset of cancer, exploration of interactome to find the pathways which are mutual to both, and recognition of hotspots which might play important role in autoimmunity mediated therapeutics with different therapies such as anti-TNF therapy, Treg therapy and stem cell therapy.

Keywords:

• Autoimmunity
• autoimmune disorders
• cancer
• tumorigenic infections
• regenerative therapies

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for providing financial assistance and necessary funds to Prof. Ramesh Chandra. We are also grateful to the University of Delhi for providing support and necessary facilities to carry out research work. Neeraj Kumar, Vartika Tomar and Ravi Tomar are thankful to Department of Biotechnology (DBT-JRF), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR-SRF) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) respectively.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflict of interest regarding the publication of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

We are grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for providing financial assistance and necessary funds to Prof. Ramesh Chandra. We are also grateful to the University of Delhi for providing support and necessary facilities to carry out research work.