[Del]

I've just been wondering something and thought I'd throw it out to see what comes back- This is not scientific

Since type 1 diabetes is the result of the immune system destroying cells it shouldn't, ie very strong immune system, and cancer is the result of the immune system failing to kill off "bad" cells, does that theoretically mean that type 1 diabetics are at less risk of getting cancer, all other factors being the same?

[SatKiwi]

really dont know but very strong immune system dosnt seem to stop cold and flu, I gave up smoking 6 years ago so I hope my chances of getting cancer has drop, if being diabetic also lowers the chance again then I say yay

[JasonJayhawk]

Originally Posted by Del

Since type 1 diabetes is the result of the immune system destroying cells it shouldn't, ie very strong immune system, and cancer is the result of the immune system failing to kill off "bad" cells, does that theoretically mean that type 1 diabetics are at less risk of getting cancer, all other factors being the same?

Here's a biology lesson for you. Diabetes and cancer are not linked events.

Type 1 diabetes results from an immunity against, what current belief is, the GAD+ receptors on beta cells.

Allergies are responses by the immune system to protect a person from a foreign body. In type 1, the immune system thinks the GAD+ antibodies are invaders, and they're "eliminated." Ever know anyone who has allergies to mold, and another to eggs? Just because a person is allergic to mold does not mean they'll be allergic to eggs, and vice versa, and nor does it mean they have a "strong" immune system. The immune system is adaptive, and begins learning the moment you enter the world. In fact, the immune system is so naive to the environment, that mother's breast milk provides many protecting antibodies to help prevent illness during the first months/years.

Cancer is not caused by the immune system. In fact, the immune system does not care about cancer, because the immune system is trained to recognize "self" and not to attack it. (This failure to recognize "self" is what causes autoimmune conditions).

If a cell is cancerous, it's dividing (and the divided cells grow) like gangbusters.

If the cancer cell that is dividing is somehow "marked" to produce non-body shapes, then the immune system can come in an attack it. (Cancers caused by viruses are believed to be eliminated this way).

Diabetes and cancer aren't linked. However, they are both linked to health and wellness. Eating, exercising, and living healthy will reduce the complications for both.

[Del]

I was just curious as my wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer and my mother with colon cancer within the past 3 months and I have type 1. I have done lots of research on both conditions but most recently mostly on cancer, and the prevailing view in simple terms as far as I can determine is that cancer is "allowed" to grow and spread because the immune system does not stop it, ie is not working properly for whatever reason. Everyone has cancer cells in their bodies but the immune system deals with them in healthy people, just as the immune system does not eliminate beta cells in healthy people.

It was a far reach on the question I realize (I got far enough in biology to understand that cancer and diabetes are not related, just as Crohns and a broken leg are not related), I was just curious if anyone knew or had heard if the immune system doing more than it was supposed to do over an extended period of time (auto-immune disease) has any heightened effect of getting rid of the cancer cells we all have in our bodies also over an extended period of time.

[sedita]

We don't particularly have any stronger or weaker an immune system than non-diabetics. The reason that you are diabetic is because your immune system recognized your beta cells as being foriegn. Just a glitch in the system i guess.
This really doesn't relate to cancer. I think the confusion is in thinking that you have a stronger or overactive immune system. Its just a matter of what has been labeled as foriegn or self. Cancer arises when normal cells lose control and replicate rapidly. The problem exist in that these cells appear normal to the immune system, since they are normal cells that have undergone changes allowing them to grow uncontrolled. Because of this they dont contain the antigens to become targets of the immune system.

If the markers on your beta cells that target them for destruction were also present on cancerous cells, then these could also be targeted by the immune system.

[Del]

"This really doesn't relate to cancer. I think the confusion is in thinking that you have a stronger or overactive immune system."


That makes sense, thanks. Too bad, thought there might potentially be something good in it

[JasonJayhawk]

Del, it's good to be thinking about science. It keeps us all educated!

I think another way I could have explained it is that the immune system works to remove foreign items from the body. Cancer cells are not foreign since they come from our own body, so the immune system does not recognize them.

You might be delighted to know that research has/is being done that relates to infecting the cancer cells with a virus that carries DNA (or RNA, depending on the vector used) that cause the cancer cells to become infected.

All cells in our body are constantly presenting internal pieces of themselves to the outside walls, metaphorically shouting, "This is what I have in me!"

The hope is that the cancerous cells present foreign proteins which are then recognized and removed by the immune system.

Cancer deals with a failure in the mitosis (division) and apotosis (cell death) functions of a cell.