Clinical Perspectives on the Age-Related Increase of Immunosuppressive Activity

The document discussed how aging is linked to changes in the immune system, specifically through processes known as inflammaging and immunosenescence. These changes result in increased risks for cancers and chronic infections, and reduced effectiveness of vaccinations and immunotherapies. Chronic inflammation, common in aging, triggers immunosuppression to protect tissues, but this also contributes to immunosenescence. Immunosuppressive cells like myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T cells, and type M2 macrophages play significant roles in tumor development and infection persistence, as well as in reducing vaccine and therapy effectiveness. The study highlighted that both aging and chronic inflammation activate immunosuppression, explaining why aging is a risk factor for cancer and chronic inflammation, and how chronic inflammation can accelerate aging.