Immunotherapy is a ground-breaking cancer treatment that is inspiring people all around the world with new hope. This state-of-the-art therapy uses the immune system of the body to combat and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy has become an effective ally in the fight against cancer due to its extraordinary potential and ground-breaking complishments.
Is immunotherapy in cancer effective?
Immunotherapy has shown efficacy in several types of cancers also. The specific
immunotherapeutic agents used may vary depending on the cancer type and individual patient
factors some include cases of Melanoma, Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Bladder cancer,
Kidney cancer (Renal cell carcinoma), Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and more.
Also, Based on a research , immunotherapy intervention prior to surgery in patients with
colorectal cancer has shown effective results of improvement
Conventional medicines such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy have always been the
mainstays of cancer treatment. However, they frequently have debilitating side effects, and
some cancers may not respond well to them. Through immunotherapy, the use of the body’s
own defenses to specifically target cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue offers a paradigm
shift in the fight against cancer. This technique offers patients a more personalized and focused
type of therapy that holds a lot of potential.
Types of Immunotherapy
Some commonly used forms of immunotherapy include:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors: These drugs allow the immune system to target cancer cells by inhibiting immune cell activity by blocking proteins that act as checkpoints. Immune checkpoint inhibitors boost the immune response to cancer by removing these obstacles.
- Monoclonal antibodies: These antibodies are created in laboratories and are designed to selectively target chemicals identified on cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies activate the immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells by attaching to these molecules.
- Adoptive cell therapies: This approach includes changing a patient’s own immune cells, such as T cells, to improve their ability to recognise and attack cancer cells. These cells are then reintroduced into the patient’s body to target and kill cancer cells.
- Cancer vaccines: Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent infectious diseases, cancer vaccines aim to stimulate the immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. These vaccines can be created using cancer cells, specific proteins present on cancer cells, or genetic material from cancer cells.
- Oncolytic virus therapy: This innovative approach utilizes viruses that have been genetically engineered to selectively infect and destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Additionally, oncolytic viruses can stimulate the immune system to mount an immune response against cancer
Conclusion
Each method of immunotherapy works differently, utilizing the body’s immune system to battle cancer. It is crucial to know that the suitability of each type of immunotherapy varies depending on the individual case, and the best treatment strategy will take a range of aspects into account by your cancer specialist . Depending on the individual needs of each patient, this may include a combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy or radiation therapy and medications. Visit our cancer specialist today to know your best treatment approach for you !