Cancer Council NSW logo
13 11 20 Information & Support
Give monthly
Menu
  • Cancer Information
    • By cancer type
      • Bowel cancer
      • Blood cancers
      • Breast cancer
      • Lung cancer
      • Melanoma
      • Prostate cancer
      • View 45 other cancers
    • General information
      • What is cancer?
      • Coping with a diagnosis
      • Cancer treatment
      • Managing side effects
      • Living well
      • Practical concerns
      • Advanced cancer
    • How can we help you?
      • Carers
      • Family and friends
      • LGBTQI+
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • Schools and teachers
    • More resources
      • Explore our new resource hub
      • Cancer Council Podcasts
      • Cancer Information Services
      • Cancer information for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
  • Get Support
    • How can we help you
      • 13 11 20 – Speak to a cancer professional
      • Connect with others
      • Cancer Counselling
      • Pro Bono Program
      • Financial Assistance
      • Transport to cancer treatment
      • Accommodation during cancer treatment
      • Support for cancer survivors
    • More information
      • Information for health professionals
      • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • LGBTQI+
      • Cancer and COVID-19 in NSW
      • Webinars
  • Cancer Prevention
    • By topic
      • Alcohol
      • Diet and exercise
      • Screening and early detection
      • Smoking
      • Sun protection
    • Programs
      • SunSmart NSW website
      • Improve your long game
      • Tackling Tobacco
  • Research
    • By Topic
      • Research we conduct
      • Research we fund
      • Information for researchers
      • Community Involvement in Research
    • Quick links
      • Search research by cancer type or topic
      • Research Grant Applications
      • Research Achievements
  • Get Involved
    • How will you get involved
      • Volunteer with us
      • Work with us
      • Events and Fundraising
      • Partner with us
      • Campaign with us
      • Shop with us
    • Quick Links
      • Events calendar
      • Share your story
      • Supporter Recognition
  • Donate
    • Donate today
    • Donate monthly
    • Donate in memory
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • More ways to donate
    • Donate Crypto
  • Cancer Information
    • By cancer type
      • Bowel cancer
      • Blood cancers
      • Breast cancer
      • Lung cancer
      • Melanoma
      • Prostate cancer
      • View 45 other cancers
    • General information
      • What is cancer?
      • Coping with a diagnosis
      • Cancer treatment
      • Managing side effects
      • Living well
      • Practical concerns
      • Advanced cancer
    • How can we help you?
      • Carers
      • Family and friends
      • LGBTQI+
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • Schools and teachers
    • More resources
      • Explore our new resource hub
      • Cancer Council Podcasts
      • Cancer Information Services
      • Cancer information for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
  • Get Support
    • How can we help you
      • 13 11 20 – Speak to a cancer professional
      • Connect with others
      • Cancer Counselling
      • Pro Bono Program
      • Financial Assistance
      • Transport to cancer treatment
      • Accommodation during cancer treatment
      • Support for cancer survivors
    • More information
      • Information for health professionals
      • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
      • Multilingual cancer information
      • LGBTQI+
      • Cancer and COVID-19 in NSW
      • Webinars
  • Cancer Prevention
    • By topic
      • Alcohol
      • Diet and exercise
      • Screening and early detection
      • Smoking
      • Sun protection
    • Programs
      • SunSmart NSW website
      • Improve your long game
      • Tackling Tobacco
  • Research
    • By Topic
      • Research we conduct
      • Research we fund
      • Information for researchers
      • Community Involvement in Research
    • Quick links
      • Search research by cancer type or topic
      • Research Grant Applications
      • Research Achievements
  • Get Involved
    • How will you get involved
      • Volunteer with us
      • Work with us
      • Events and Fundraising
      • Partner with us
      • Campaign with us
      • Shop with us
    • Quick Links
      • Events calendar
      • Share your story
      • Supporter Recognition
  • Donate
    • Donate today
    • Donate monthly
    • Donate in memory
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • More ways to donate
    • Donate Crypto
  • Home
  • Research
  • Preventing people with immune deficiencies from developing cancer

Preventing people with immune deficiencies from developing cancer

Professor Stuart Tangye Garvan Institute of Medical Research $360,000 funded by The Susan and John Freeman Research Grant 2016-2018

Background

One of the main jobs of our immune system is to protect us from infectious diseases. However, some people have errors in their DNA that can cause immune deficiencies. For these people, infectious diseases that would usually only cause minor symptoms in most people can proliferate throughout the body causing significant symptoms, tissue damage and, in some cases, can lead to cancer. This means people with deficient immune systems are significantly more likely to develop cancer than those with healthy immune systems.

Professor Stuart Tangye has been leading pioneering research on the link between the immune system and cancer with funding from Cancer Council NSW since 2002. Professor Tangye and his team discovered a link between a particular immune deficiency, X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP), the Epstein-Barr virus and the development of cancer.

The Epstein-Barr virus is very common, with around 90% of people in the world having it at some point in their lives – sometimes without even realising. It can cause cold or flu-like symptoms, or no symptoms at all. However, people with XLP cannot control this virus. As a result, the virus runs rampant in their bodies, causing tissue damage and can often lead to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The Epstein-Barr virus has also been linked with six other types of cancer.

The research

In this project, the team has been investigating if it’s possible to boost the immune system of people with XLP to build their defences against the Epstein-Barr virus and prevent them from developing cancer. By analysing the immune responses of patients with XLP, Professor Tangye has been homing in on exactly why their immune system fails to fight the Epstein-Barr virus.

They found the two types of immune cells which are primarily responsible for controlling viruses are unable to recognise the Epstein-Barr virus and activate the immune system to attack. With this stage of the immune response pinpointed, the team has been investigating how to boost the immune system of people with XLP, build their defences against the Epstein-Barr virus and potentially prevent them getting cancer.

The impact

This research will lead national and international strategies to enhance anti-viral and anti-cancer immunity. These strategies won’t just be for patients with immune deficiencies, but also for other people have an increased risk of developing cancer. Ultimately, the researchers hope their work will drive the creation of vaccines that can protect people with problems in their immune system from getting cancer.

Search research
Cancer research depends on your support
Give monthly
Share

Achievements
18 Jun 2020

Addressing the needs of long-term prostate cancer survivors

Find out more
20 May 2020

HPV vaccine linked to decline in premature births

Find out more
Latest news
08 May 2023

Personalising treatment for women with ovarian cancer

Find out more
  • About us
  • News & Media
  • Cancer Council Shop
  • Contact us
  • Work with us
  • Privacy and website policies
Aboriginal Daffodil logo

Cancer Council NSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to the elders past and present and extend that respect to all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Registered Charity (ACNC)

© Cancer Council NSW 2021. Cancer Council NSW is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity: Charitable Fundraising Authority No. 18521. ABN 51 116 463 846. Cancer Council NSW, 153 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.