REVIEW - ANALOGIES BETWEEN TROPHOBLASTIC AND MALIGNANT-CELLS

PROBLEM: The question of how trophoblastic and malignant cells evade i mmunologic recognition and rejection by their host was studied. METHOD OF STUDY: A literature review was conducted. RESULTS: Trophoblastic a nd malignant cells share a number of similarities. These include a lac k of major histocompatibility complex antigen expression, resistance t o lysis by natural killer cells, T-helper cell-2 (TH2)-biased response , prostaglandin E production, and response to transforming growth fact or beta. In addition, the analogies between trophoblastic and malignan t cells extend into immunotherapy in which anti-idiotype therapy has a viable role in the prevention of pregnancy loss and the treatment of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Trophoblastic and malignant cells use a number of similar mechanisms to resist rejection by their host. By using simila r strategies these cells are able to successfully co-exist in an immun ologically hostile environment.