Imagine a treatment that helps your immune system fight breast cancer—like giving your body a secret weapon. That’s the promise of immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is an innovative approach that uses the human body’s immune systems to destroy cancer cells. While it has been helpful in treating lung cancer and melanoma, it has now branched out to aid in breast cancer treatment. In this article, we will look at how immunotherapy works, its importance in treating breast cancer, and its impact on patients.
New Revolutionary Technique- Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is therapy that enhances the capability of the immune system to identify and destroy the cancer cells. The cancer cells either mask themselves as regular cells or block the immune response so that they can be attacked. By removing these barriers or directly stimulating the immune starts working, it becomes easier to pinpoint the cancer cells and eradicate them.
The most common types of issues associated with immunotherapy include:
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Monoclonal Antibodies – these target specific antigens on cancer cells.
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Adoptive Cell Therapy – T-cells are modified to increase the chances of destroying cancer.
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors – Proteins that protect cancer cells from being attacked by the immune system are blocked.
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Cancer Vaccines – these help increase the chances of identifying and destroying the cancer cells.
Breast Cancer: A unique challenge
Breast cancer and other types of cancers are different in a way that immunity is not attack it. That is to say, breast cancer is not inherently immunogenic and hence, it does not provoke strong immune response.
A couple forms of breast cancer like the triple-negative type respond very well to the body's defenses. As TNBC does not possess estrogen, progesterone, or HER2 receptors, it cannot be treated using conventional hormonal therapies. It is a highly aggressive proliferating cancer and is not easy to treat, but immunotherapy is increasingly becoming a promising ray.
How Immunotherapy Is Used to Treat Breast Cancer?
Let’s find the role of Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer treatment:
1. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Immunotherapy drug combinations such as Atezolizumab and Pembrolizumab work extremely well in treating TNBC. These drugs inhibit the action of PD-1/ PD - L1 proteins which cancer cells use to succsessfully “immigrate” from the immune system. Chemotherapy works better when given together with checkpoint inhibitors, and these drugs improve the quality of life of patients suffering from TNBC.
2. HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
HER2 positive breast cancer is mostly managed with targeted therapies, for example, Trastuzumab. However, there is emerging enthusiasm for the use of immunotherapy in conjunction with other HER2 targeted therapies. These combinations might help to increase the immune system’s response to HER2 positive breast cancer cells.
3. Hormone-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
For hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, immunotherapy is undiscovered territory. Scientists are working on ways to break down the immune-suppressive environment surrounding this cancer subtype so that the patients can be treated with immunotherapy.
4. Metastatic Breast Cancer
For advanced or metastatic breast cancer, there is hope with immunotherapy. The combination of these immune checkpoint inhibitors with other treatments aims to slow disease progression and improve survival.
Advantages of Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment
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Sustained Remission: Long-term results often benefit patients through immunotherapy and for those who respond immunotherapy treatment, responses can be positive and lasting.
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Focused Impact: Immunotherapy approaches do not greatly affect other parts of the body like normal cells because it primarily focuses on the immune cells. This is a key difference from standard approaches such as chemotherapy.
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Combination therapy is feasible: Immunotherapy has the ability to aid the remaining treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and even targeted treatment.
Obstacles & Issues for Immunotherapy In Breast Cancer
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Non-Universal: Currently, immunotherapy is effective on only a fraction of breast cancer patients. Most qualify ones are those who have increased expression of PD-L1 or patients who have triple negative breast cancer.
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Adverse effects: Some of the most commonly observed side effects are fatigue, skin rashes and mild flu-like symptoms. The more severe immune correlated adverse effects are witnessed when the immune system starts to damage non-disease tissues.
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Cost: Immunotherapy cost ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹40,000 per session, or even ₹1.5 to ₹4 lakh per cycle in Gurgaon and The cost of immunotherapy in India can vary significantly, ₹1.5 to ₹4 lakh per cycle, depending on the hospital and medication used.
Immunotherapy is not a universal remedy to some tumors. More extensive research needs to be conducted to determine how to surpass these obstacles.
Continuous Studies for Additional Advances
There is ongoing work to widen the scope of immunotherapy in breast cancer over paid attention to some of the following aspects:
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Biomarker identification: The goal is to create tests that will help identify a few selected patients that will derive great benefit from immunotherapy.
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Combination strategies: The simultaneous application of immunotherapy with radiation, targeting chemotherapy or other medicines is a strategy employed to achieve superior results.
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Novel approaches: Use of cancer vaccines and other forms of adoptive cell treatments to replace general treatment for breast cancer.
These trials are extremely important in deepening our insight towards immunotherapy in relation to breast cancer. The patients taking part in these trials are granting access towards furthering effective treatment methods that could revolutionize the treatment performed on breast cancer patients.
Immunotherapy: Empowering Patients
Immunotherapy is a big step towards advancements in the treatment of breast cancer, but there is no one treatment suitable for all. Patients with very little options when it comes to treatment, especially for TNBC patients can seek immunotherapy as a beacon of hope. It is important to interpret both the promise and side of immunotherapy and make the best decision around treatment.
Final Thoughts: Talk To Expert
Aggressive breast cancer immunotherapy is still in the stages of promise, however, it is extremely helpful when dealing with hard-to-treat subtypes. Its adoption and deployment have the potential to broaden the opportunities for many in need. Research and tech are evolving day by day, so the availability of a universal solution might not be too far off.
Dr. Pooja Babbar is best medical oncologist in gurgaon with 15+ years of experience under her belt and currently specializes in immunotherapy-inclusive treatment of breast cancer while focusing on evidence-oriented and individualized treatment plans. Her strong focus on the patient and her experience in dealing with hard cases have made her an epitome of success in this field.
If you’re grappling with breast cancer and are looking for a master in the field, Dr. Pooja Babbar is ready to provide you with the best treatment and care at each and every stage of your cancer journey. Book a consultation today!
