Sleeping Threats: Immune System’s Watch on Dormant Cancer

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Sleeping Threats: Immune System’s Watch on Dormant Cancer

June 6, 2025 by Dr. Sudipta Saha

Sleeping Threats: Immune System’s Watch on Dormant Cancer

Curator: Dr. Sudipta Saha, Ph. D.

The immune system’s role in regulating dormant cancer cells has been increasingly elucidated, revealing a complex interplay that influences metastasis and cancer recurrence. Dormant cells, which enter a non-proliferative state, can evade immune detection and remain quiescent for prolonged periods.

Mechanisms of immune evasion include down-regulation of antigen presentation and residence within immune-privileged niches such as bone marrow. Both innate and adaptive immunity, particularly CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, are involved in maintaining dormancy and preventing metastatic outgrowth.

Micro-environmental factors that modulate immune surveillance and dormancy status have been identified. Changes in cytokine profiles and inflammation can disrupt dormancy, leading to cancer cell reactivation and metastasis.

Therapeutic approaches to sustain dormancy or eliminate dormant cells are under development. These include immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and cytokine modulators aimed at enhancing immune recognition and clearance.

By targeting dormant cancer cells through immune modulation, it is anticipated that metastasis can be delayed or prevented, significantly improving long-term patient outcomes and reducing cancer mortality.