A 45-year-old man undergoes a liver transplant. Three months after the surgery, he is diagnosed with cancer due to a chronic hepatitis B infection. If the patient was on drugs to prevent graft rejection, what process has failed to take place in the patient's immune system?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Immunological surveillance is the process by which the immune system recognizes and destroys abnormal cells, including cancer cells. In this case, the patient's immune system failed to recognize and destroy cancer cells due to the immunosuppressive drugs used to prevent graft rejection. Therefore, immunological surveillance has failed to take place in the patient's immune system.

A 45-Year-Old Man Undergoes a Liver Transplant