Body’s Immune Cells ‘Betraying’ It in Breast Cancer - Insights from Indian Research
iasparliament
February 07, 2026
Mains: GS II – Health |GS III – Science and Technology
Why in News?
A review by Indian researchers highlights how immune cells meant to protect the body can be reprogrammed to assist breast cancer progression.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer – It is a disease where cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming tumors that can be invasive (spread to other tissues) or, rarely, stay in place.
Types – The most common forms are:
Ductal carcinoma (starts in ducts)
Lobular carcinoma (starts in glands).
In Situ vs. Invasive – Non-invasive (in situ) cancers remain in their origin spot.
Invasive cancers spread into surrounding breast tissue, lymph nodes, or other body parts.
Prevalence – Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally and remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women.
Nearly 15% of breast cancer deaths occur due to metastasis and drug resistance, highlighting the need for deeper biological understanding beyond tumour cells alone.
Recent scientific research has shifted focus towards the tumour microenvironment, especially the role of immune cells in cancer progression.
Symptoms – A new lump, swelling, breast skin dimpling, nipple changes (inversion or discharge), or pain.
Detection – Regular screening, such as mammograms, is crucial for finding cancer early, often before symptoms appear.
Risk Factors –Increasing age, family history, genetic mutations (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2), alcohol consumption, and obesity.
Causes –While many cases have no clear cause, they often stem from genetic damage within breast cells.
Treatment Options – Treatment is individualized and often involves a combination of:
Surgery – Lumpectomy or mastectomy.
Radiation Therapy – High-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Systemic Therapies – Chemotherapy, hormone therapy (e.g., to block estrogen), or targeted therapies (e.g., for HER2-positive).
What are the findings of the new study?
Indian Researchers and the Review – The review was conducted by Nagaland University.
It was published in the Breast Global Journal.
The review focuses on the behaviour of macrophages within breast tumours and their role in metastasis.
Role of the Immune System in Breast Cancer – Traditionally, cancer was understood as a disease caused by uncontrolled proliferation of tumour cells alone.
The research shows that cancer can manipulate the body’s own immune system to support tumour growth and spread.
What are Macrophages?
Macrophages – They are white blood cells that normally eliminate harmful cells through phagocytosis.
In breast tumours, macrophages undergo behavioural changes and become tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs).
Instead of destroying cancer cells, TAMs begin supporting tumour growth and survival.
Different States of Macrophages – Macrophages exist in two major functional states:
M1 macrophages – They are anti-tumour in nature and promote inflammation to destroy abnormal cells.
M2 macrophages – They are involved in tissue repair and suppression of inflammation.
Breast cancer cells push macrophages towards the M2 state, thereby weakening anti-cancer immunity.
How Tumor-Associated Macrophages Promote Cancer Progression?
Angiogenesis –M2-type macrophages release cytokines that promote angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels.
These blood vessels supply tumours with oxygen and nutrients, enabling rapid tumour growth.
Tumour-associated macrophages suppress T cells, reducing the immune system’s ability to identify and kill cancer cells.
Cancer cells also display “don’t eat me” signals that prevent macrophages from attacking them.
TAMs remodel the extracellular matrix, making it easier for cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues and spread to distant organs.
Role in Metastasis – By breaking down structural barriers, tumour-associated mac
rophages facilitate the escape of cancer cells from the breast tissue.
This enables cancer cells to metastasise to organs such as the lungs and bones.
The interaction between tumours and macrophages forms a self-reinforcing cycle, where growing tumours attract more macrophages, which further enhance tumour progression.
Implications for Future Cancer Therapy – Understanding the tumour–immune cell interaction opens new avenues for breast cancer treatment.
Future therapies may focus on re-educating macrophages to revert them to their tumour-fighting M1 state.
Another approach involves blocking molecular signals that convert macrophages into cancer-supporting cells.
Such strategies could complement existing treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Significance for Targeted Immunotherapy – Reprogramming M2 macrophages could slow breast cancer progression and reduce metastasis.
Targeted immunotherapies based on immune cell modulation may offer more precise and less toxic treatment options.
This approach aligns with the global shift towards personalised and immune-based cancer therapies.
What lies ahead?
Breast cancer progression is not driven solely by tumour cells but is strongly influenced by the immune microenvironment.
The ‘betrayal’ of immune cells like macrophages represents a critical challenge as well as an opportunity in cancer treatment.
Indian research contributes significantly to understanding this complex interaction and points towards innovative immunotherapeutic strategies for improving long-term survival in breast cancer patients.
