Mesothelioma’s effect on the immune system creates a complex battlefield within the body, where cancer cells employ sophisticated tactics to evade detection while simultaneously triggering inflammatory responses that paradoxically support tumor growth. This rare cancer, caused primarily by asbestos exposure, doesn’t just damage the protective lining of organs; it fundamentally alters immune function through multiple pathways.
At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we understand the devastating impact mesothelioma has on your health and quality of life. With 30 years of experience representing mesothelioma patients, we recognize that understanding the biological mechanisms of this disease helps our clients make informed decisions about their treatment options and legal rights.
The relationship between mesothelioma and the immune system begins at the moment of asbestos exposure. When microscopic asbestos fibers enter the body, they initiate an inflammatory cascade with far-reaching consequences for immune function.
Asbestos fibers are too large for immune cells to completely engulf and remove from the body. This incomplete clearance leads to a state of chronic inflammation, where immune cells continually attempt to eliminate the foreign material but cannot finish the job. Over time, this persistent inflammation damages DNA in nearby mesothelial cells, potentially leading to cancerous mutations. Inflammation doesn’t just precede mesothelioma; it actively contributes to its development.
The inflammatory environment can lead to the following:
Following this initial inflammatory phase, mesothelioma cells develop multiple mechanisms to evade immune detection and elimination. If you have been exposed to asbestos and are now dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis as a result, it is important you understand how this deadly form of cancer can impact your body, namely, the immune system.
Mesothelioma’s relationship with the immune system evolves as the disease progresses. The cancer develops sophisticated mechanisms to hide from immune surveillance while simultaneously creating an environment that supports its growth.
Mesothelioma tumors employ several strategies to avoid detection and destruction by immune cells. These tumors can change their surface proteins to become less recognizable to immune cells, essentially creating a disguise that helps them avoid detection.
Mesothelioma creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment around the tumor. This specialized zone actively inhibits the function of immune cells that might otherwise attack the cancer. The tumor achieves this by recruiting regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which naturally dampen immune responses.
The area surrounding a mesothelioma tumor becomes a complex ecosystem that protects cancer cells from immune attack. Within this microenvironment, the tumor:
This altered immune environment contributes significantly to mesothelioma’s resistance to conventional treatments.
Understanding mesothelioma’s complex relationship with the immune system has led to promising new treatment approaches aimed at restoring effective anti-tumor immunity. Immunotherapy represents one of the most significant advances in mesothelioma treatment in recent years. These treatments work by targeting the mechanisms mesothelioma uses to evade immune detection and elimination.
Checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy, block the “off switches” mesothelioma uses to deactivate immune responses. By removing these brakes on the immune system, these medications allow T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Several such medications have shown promise in clinical trials for mesothelioma patients.
Other immune-based approaches include the following:
These emerging treatments offer hope for improving outcomes in a disease that has historically been difficult to treat effectively. If you are dealing with the repercussions of asbestos exposure in the form of mesothelioma, you deserve justice. You have the right to pursue compensation for your losses by filing a claim with the help of a trusted lawyer.
Dealing with the complex medical realities of mesothelioma requires professional guidance, both medically and legally. Understanding how this cancer impacts your immune system highlights the severity of asbestos-related diseases and underscores the importance of seeking justice.
We at The Williams Law Firm, P.C. have dedicated our practice to representing individuals affected by asbestos exposure. Our founding partner, Joseph P. Williams, brings 30 years of experience to every case and will personally meet with you in your home to discuss your situation. We have never lost a mesothelioma case and approach each client’s situation as our cause, not just another case. For a free consultation about your legal options, call us at (855) 575-6376 or complete our contact form.
As the founding partner of Williams Law Firm, Joseph P. Williams has dedicated over 30 years to representing mesothelioma victims and their families. His firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for those affected by asbestos exposure, offering personalized, aggressive legal advocacy. Based in New York, Williams Law Firm provides free consultations and handles cases nationwide.
