Immune Connection in Glioma: Fiction, Fact and Option

Abstract

After the hypothesis of ‘immune surveillance’ in tumor proposed in 1970, several investigations showed the evidences of its existence where immune system is able to recognize the defects due to tumor onset (MacFarlan Burnet, 1970). But how far this surveillance is effective in the compartmentalized brain in case of glioma still remains a big uncertainty. Glioma is one of the deadliest types of cancer for its rapid growth, invasiveness and short life expectancy of the victim. So, figuring out of the extent of host immune efficiency in glioma is crucial. As glioma is able to create a hostile environment for the immune cells by releasing different soluble factors, expressing death receptors and by receptor camouflaging etc, the working situation for the host immunity becomes more difficult. Therefore, proper assessment of the role of brain immune connection in glioma is crucial to explore the probable level of support that can be extended by the immune defense mechanism against glioma. This immune resistance is also vital to support the present therapeutic modalities including adjuvants used for treating glioma.