An increase in suppressive dendritic cells and T cells is a hallmark of healthy aging, a phenomenon exacerbated by cancer and modulated by chemo‐ and immunotherapy
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Open access
Authors
Gardner, Joanne Karina
Date
2016Supervisor
Prof. Delia Nelson
Dr Connie Jackaman
Assoc. Prof. Cyril Mamotte
Type
Thesis
Education Level
Ph.D.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This thesis showed that specialised immune cells, dendritic cells and T cells, that play a key role in protecting us from cancer become increasingly dysfunctional (suppressive) during aging, which is exacerbated by cancer. Moreover, anti-cancer chemotherapy and immunotherapy promote even more suppressive dendritic cells and T cells, which may explain reduced treatment efficacy in the elderly. The data suggest that combining chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy with strategies to alleviate immunosuppression may improve elderly cancer patient outcomes.
Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Biomedical Sciences
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