The immune system relies upon the antigen-antibody response. During this description, think of a battle. Antigens can be germs, viruses, pollens, or even cells from another person. Cancer cells have antigens which are not found on normal cells. Our bodies see these antigens as abnormal and produce antibodies specific to those antigens.
Antibodies are like buglers calling the soldiers to attack.
Remember, specific antibodies only fight their matching , or targeted, antigens. They are also considered to be most effective when the body's own immune system is at its peak, such as immediately after diagnosis, first surgery, or just after the first indication of recurrence. Immune cells are designed to identify, surround, and digest the enemy. T cells identify the substance as an invader and multiply to produce cytokines , or cell killers, called lymphokines . B cells produce the specific antibodies, the chemical weapons, as well as plasma cells, which are factories that produce more of the identical antibodies.