immune surveillance


im·mune sur·veil·lance

a theory that the immune system recognizes and destroys tumor cells that are constantly arising during the life of the individual. Synonym(s): immunologic surveillance

im·mune sur·veil·lance

(i-myūn' sŭr-vā'lăns) A theory that the immune system destroys tumor cells, which are constantly arising during the life of the individual.
Synonym(s): immunologic surveillance.

immune surveillance

A body mechanism by which early cancers are detected as being foreign and are attacked and usually destroyed. Immune surveillance is a T cell-mediated process without which cancer would be much commoner. See also CTLA4-IG.