Immuno Therapy
Immunotherapy is a revolutionary approach in cancer treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Unlike traditional treatments that directly target cancer cells, immunotherapy boosts or modifies the immune system’s natural ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.
Types of Immunotherapy:
Checkpoint Inhibitors: These drugs block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer cells. By inhibiting these checkpoints, the immune system can recognize and kill cancer cells more effectively. Examples include pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo).
CAR T-cell Therapy: This involves modifying a patient’s T-cells (a type of immune cell) in the lab to better recognize and attack cancer cells. These engineered cells are then infused back into the patient. CAR T-cell therapy has shown remarkable success in treating certain blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
Cancer Vaccines: These vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells. They can be preventive (such as the HPV vaccine) or therapeutic, targeting specific cancer antigens to elicit an immune response.
Monoclonal Antibodies: These lab-made proteins can bind to specific targets on cancer cells, marking them for destruction by the immune system. Some monoclonal antibodies are designed to block cancer cell growth signals, while others deliver radiation or chemotherapy directly to cancer cells.
Cytokines: These are immune-signaling molecules, such as interleukins and interferons, that can enhance the immune system’s response to cancer. They help in stimulating the growth and activity of immune cells.
Benefits of Immunotherapy:
Targeted Action: Immunotherapy specifically targets cancer cells, often resulting in fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
Durable Responses: Patients who respond to immunotherapy often experience long-lasting effects, with some achieving complete remission.
Broad Applicability: It can be used to treat a wide variety of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and certain types of leukemia and lymphoma.
Side Effects:
While immunotherapy can be highly effective, it also comes with potential side effects due to immune system activation. Common side effects include fatigue, skin reactions, flu-like symptoms, and inflammation of organs, such as the lungs, liver, or intestines. These side effects can range from mild to severe and require careful management.
Advancements:
Research in immunotherapy is rapidly advancing, with new treatments and combinations being developed to improve efficacy and reduce side effects. Biomarkers are being identified to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy, leading to more personalized and effective treatments.
