Which cells carry out immune surveillance and are important in preventing cancer?

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Natural killer cells are the immune system’s frontline for spotting and eliminating abnormal cells, including cancer cells, before they establish a tumor. They patrol the body and can detect transformed cells that often downregulate MHC class I or express stress-related molecules. Because NK cells do not require previous exposure to a threat, they can respond quickly to these suspicious cells. When they recognize a target, they release perforin and granzymes to induce apoptosis, directly killing the transformed cell. They also secrete cytokines like interferon-gamma to activate other immune cells and amplify the anti-tumor response. In contrast, B lymphocytes focus on antibody production, erythrocytes have no immune surveillance role, and neutrophils are mainly defenders against acute infections rather than recognizing and destroying individual tumor cells.