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A new study suggests that components of the immune system that trigger allergic reactions can also help protect our skin against cancer.
According to a new study by Imperial College London, In the UK, exposure to environmental toxins and chemicals foreign to our body can trigger allergic reactions, but can also be a way to protect our skin against cancer.
Researchers focused on a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE is part of the immune system and can trigger allergic reactions by mistakenly recognizing a harmless substance such as a peanut, for example, as a hazard
Although IgE misconduct has serious consequences on the body including swelling and itching, scientists have been intrigued by its original role: does it serve any useful purpose?
The results of the study, published in the scientific journal Nature & # 39; s 19459011 indicate that the antibody may have a crucial role in the defense against damage caused by environmental chemicals and so against cancer . IgE triggered by dermal exposure to toxic agents accumulates at the affected site and prevents damaged cells from becoming cancerous tumors.
In the UK, estimates indicate that the number of allergic increases: 44% of Britons now suffer from at least one allergy.
"We thought that IgE protected us against parasites such as intestinal worms, and that the absence of infection with worms was at the origin of allergies. previous work suggested that the body can still fight against parasites without IgE, we do not believe this is their only purpose, "explained the main author of the study, . Jessica Strid
The team discovered that placing a toxic chemical on the skin of guinea pigs caused the induction of IgE at the site of the lesion.
Scientists also studied cutaneous tumors of 12 patients with carcinoma the second most common type of skin cancer.
The results showed that all tumors, some more aggressive than others had IgE . Further analysis of a larger group of patients showed that less-risk tumors had more IgE cells, while more severe tumors had less, suggesting that IgE could offer some protective effect against progression. IgE. Cancer.
"This is only the beginning of history – our next step is to discover how IgE can prevent skin cells from becoming cancerous and see if we can in any way So handle the allergic response to protect against skin cancer or treat it, "concluded Dr. Strid.
The results also indicate strong evidence that allergies may be related to chemicals in our modern environment [19659004] "Our work raises many questions – and now we have to start answering them." the first results support the so-called hypothesis Toxin Hypothesis which suggests that chemicals in the environment, such as air pollution, combustion and emissions from cars, As well as tobacco smoke, can damage the skin and cause an increase in IgE.The theory suggests that an increase in IgE could play a role in the alarming increase in allergies over the last few decades. "[19659013]
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Tags Allergies cancer Protect Skin
