Immunotherapy is an innovative approach to cancer treatment that aims to harness the power of the immune system to combat cancer cells. It involves the use of substances or procedures that stimulate, enhance, or restore the body's natural immune response against cancer.
How Immunotherapy Works
Immunotherapy works in different ways to target cancer cells and activate the immune system's response:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors: These drugs block proteins that act as checkpoints on immune cells, such as PD-1 or CTLA-4, which prevent immune cells from attacking cancer cells. By inhibiting these checkpoints, immunotherapy allows the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.
Monoclonal antibodies: These laboratory-produced antibodies are designed to target specific proteins on cancer cells. They can stimulate the immune system, mark cancer cells for destruction, or deliver drugs or toxins directly to cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines: Vaccines can be developed to train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. These vaccines can be made from cancer cells, parts of cancer cells, or specific cancer-associated antigens.
Adoptive cell transfer: This procedure involves collecting immune cells, such as T cells, from the patient's own body, genetically modifying or enhancing them in the laboratory, and then reintroducing them into the patient. The modified cells can better target and eliminate cancer cells.
Uses of Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy can be used in various ways and for different types of cancer:
Treating advanced or metastatic cancers
Providing adjuvant therapy to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence after primary treatment
Combining with other cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy to enhance effectiveness
Treating certain types of lymphomas, melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and more
Potential Side Effects
Immunotherapy can cause side effects, which vary depending on the type of immunotherapy and individual response. Common side effects include:
Flu-like symptoms
Fatigue
Skin reactions
Diarrhea
Autoimmune reactions
It's important to note that not all patients experience side effects, and the severity can vary. Healthcare professionals closely monitor patients undergoing immunotherapy and take appropriate measures to manage and minimize side effects.