Immunotherapy Explained
Cancer treatment is undergoing a revolutionary shift, thanks to immunotherapy. This cutting-edge approach harnesses the body’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Let’s explore how it works and the three main types of immunotherapy making a difference in cancer care.
What Is Immunotherapy?
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs designed to protect the body from harmful invaders like bacteria and abnormal cells, including cancer. Immunotherapy enhances the immune system’s natural ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy, which directly target cancer cells, immunotherapy empowers the immune system to do the work.
Three Main Types of Immunotherapy
Non-Specific Immune Stimulation
This type of immunotherapy boosts the immune system’s overall activity, helping it fight cancer more effectively. For instance, bladder cancer patients may receive a substance called BCG after surgery. BCG triggers a general immune response in the bladder, targeting and killing any remaining cancer cells. This approach can prevent the cancer from worsening or returning.
T-Cell Transfer Therapy
T cells are specialized immune cells that play a critical role in fighting infections and cancer. In T-cell transfer therapy:T cells are extracted from the patient’s body and modified in a laboratory to better target cancer cells.
Millions of these enhanced T cells are grown and then reintroduced into the patient’s body.
Once inside, the T cells hunt down and destroy cancer cells more effectively than before.
This personalized approach has shown promise in treating certain types of cancers.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Immune checkpoints are proteins on T cells that regulate their activity. Normally, these checkpoints ensure T cells remain inactive until needed, preventing damage to healthy cells. However, cancer cells can exploit these checkpoints to “switch off” T cells, avoiding detection and destruction.Immune checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that block these checkpoints.
By doing so, they “free” the T cells to attack and kill cancer cells.
Checkpoint inhibitors have been effective in treating cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, and more.
Challenges and Ongoing Research
While immunotherapy has shown remarkable results, it doesn’t work for every patient. Some may experience serious side effects, and researchers are still working to understand why it’s more effective for some cancers than others.
The National Cancer Institute and other organizations are actively studying how the immune system fights cancer. Their goal is to refine these therapies and make immunotherapy accessible and effective for all patients.
The Future of Cancer Treatment
Immunotherapy is transforming how we think about cancer care, offering new hope to patients. By empowering the body’s natural defenses, this innovative treatment is paving the way for a future where cancer is more manageable—and, one day, perhaps curable.
For personalized advice, consult your healthcare provider about immunotherapy and whether it may be an option for your treatment plan.
About Dr. Sourabh Kharait
Dr. Sourabh Kharait (MD / PhD) is Clinical Nephrologist and Medical Director of Clinical Trials at Summit Nephrology Medical Group, and the Founder and CEO of IGH Naturals, a platform company that designs Functional Foods and Nutritional products for athletes and patients with chronic diseases.
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This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
