Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy harnesses your body's immune system to locate and eliminate cancer cells. It encompasses various types of training your immune system to better combat cancer. This treatment holds the potential to extend the lifespan of some individuals with cancer.

Utilizing your body's natural defenses, cancer immunotherapy directs the immune system to recognize and eradicate cancerous cells. By enhancing its capabilities, immunotherapy empowers the immune system to identify and eliminate cancer cells more effectively.

Demonstrating high efficacy, cancer immunotherapy proves to be a valuable treatment, potentially prolonging the lives of individuals with cancer. Ongoing medical research aims to develop new immunotherapy drugs, expanding the range of cancers that can be effectively treated with this innovative approach.

How does immunotherapy work?

Immunotherapy operates on the fundamental understanding of the immune system's role in safeguarding the body against various threats, including allergens, viruses, and potentially cancerous cells. The immune system boasts specialized cells that constantly patrol the body for anomalies. When these vigilant cells identify a damaged or cancerous cell, they initiate a process to eliminate it. This natural surveillance mechanism prevents the rampant growth and dissemination of cancerous tumors.

However, cancer cells are dynamic and can evade immune detection, making them a challenging adversary. Immunotherapy steps in as a strategic intervention by:

Training the Immune System:

Immunotherapy involves educating the immune system to become more adept at identifying and eliminating cancer cells. This training enhances the immune system's capacity to recognize and respond effectively to cancerous threats.

Stimulating Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells:

By leveraging immunotherapy, the body is encouraged to produce specific immune cells designed to target and destroy cancer cells. This process fortifies the body's natural defenses, ensuring a more targeted and robust response against cancerous elements.

Immunotherapy serves as a reinforcement for the immune system, overcoming the adaptive strategies employed by cancer cells. By empowering the body to recognize and combat cancer more effectively, immunotherapy represents a revolutionary approach in the ongoing battle against this dynamic and evolving disease.

What cancers can immunotherapy treat?

Immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in treating various cancers, demonstrating significant success in enhancing the body's natural defenses against cancerous cells. While its efficacy varies across different cancer types, immunotherapy has shown promise in treating several forms of cancer. Here is an overview of cancers that immunotherapy may be used to treat:

• Melanoma:
  Immunotherapy, remarkably immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab and nivolumab, has shown remarkable success in treating advanced melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
• Lung Cancer:
  Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and nivolumab, have been approved for treating specific types of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney Cancer):
  Immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab and ipilimumab, has been approved for treating advanced renal cell carcinoma.
• Bladder Cancer:
  Atezolizumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab are immune checkpoint inhibitors approved for treating advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.
• Head and Neck Cancers:
  Immunotherapy, particularly with the use of pembrolizumab, is employed in the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
• Hodgkin Lymphoma:
  In cases of relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma, immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab and pembrolizumab have demonstrated efficacy.
• Colorectal Cancer:
  While less common, immunotherapy, including pembrolizumab and nivolumab, may be used in the treatment of certain cases of colorectal cancer, particularly those with specific genetic characteristics.
• Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma):
  Nivolumab and pembrolizumab are immune checkpoint inhibitors approved for treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who have previously received systemic therapy.
• Gastric (Stomach) Cancer:
  Pembrolizumab and nivolumab, immune checkpoint inhibitors, may be used in the treatment of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancers.
• Breast Cancer:
  While not as common, certain subtypes of breast cancer may be treated with immunotherapy, particularly with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

It's important to note that the landscape of immunotherapy in cancer treatment is continually evolving. Ongoing research and clinical trials explore the potential of immunotherapy across a broader spectrum of cancer types. The decision to use immunotherapy is often based on factors such as the specific type and stage of cancer, genetic characteristics, and individual patient factors. Consultation with healthcare professionals is crucial for determining the most appropriate treatment plan tailored to each patient's unique circumstances.

Which kinds of immunotherapy exist?

Immunotherapy represents a diverse range of innovative treatments designed to harness the body's immune system in the fight against cancer. The main types of immunotherapy include:-

1. Checkpoint Inhibitors: These drugs block certain proteins on cancer cells or immune cells, freeing the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Examples include pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab.
2. Adoptive Cell Therapy (T-Cell Transfer Therapy): This approach involves extracting T cells (a type of immune cell) from the patient, genetically modifying them to better target cancer cells, and then infusing them back into the patient. CAR T-cell therapy is a notable example of adoptive cell therapy.
3. Monoclonal Antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules designed to mimic the immune system's ability to fight off harmful pathogens. They can be engineered to target specific proteins on cancer cells, aiding in their destruction. Rituximab and trastuzumab are examples of monoclonal antibodies used in cancer treatment.
4. Cancer Vaccines: Cancer vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent infectious diseases, cancer vaccines aim to treat existing cancer or prevent its recurrence. Sipuleucel-T is an example of a cancer vaccine used in certain cases of prostate cancer.
5. Immune System Modulators: These drugs enhance or suppress the immune system's activity to achieve a therapeutic effect. Interferons and interleukins are examples of immune system modulators that may be used in cancer treatment.

Each type of immunotherapy works through distinct mechanisms, reflecting the intricate ways in which the immune system can be harnessed to combat cancer. The selection of a specific immunotherapy type depends on factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the patient's overall health, and the presence of specific biomarkers. The ongoing evolution of immunotherapy continues to unlock new possibilities in the realm of cancer treatment, offering hope for improved outcomes and a more targeted approach to addressing the complexities of this disease.