INSULIN AND PROSTAGLANDINS AS SIGNALS BETWEEN TUMOR AND THE HOST IMMUNE-SYSTEM

The development of malignant tissue in vivo is partially favored by th e immunosuppression that occurs in cancer patients. However, the signa ls between tumor and immune tissues remain to be identified. We presen t evidence that prostaglandins may act as one of these signals by a di rect action on cells of the immune system, or by inhibition of insulin secretion which in turn suppresses immune function, or both.