Cancer, aging and the immune system

Cancer is generally considered as a disease of old age, with the likelihood of developing some form of cancer increasing significantly after the age of 60 years. The lifetime risk of developing cancer is one in two for males and one in three for females. The reason why cancers occur is largely unknown and, as such, the contribution of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to their development requires further in-depth investigation. The intention of this brief article is to examine the contribution that aging and the cellular mechanisms of immunity have on cancer development and how this may be important to future developments in immunotherapies.