Harnessing the Power of Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment
Battling cancer is tough and a new groundbreaking approach called immunotherapy offers new hope to patients across the world.
Immunotherapy, often referred to as biologic therapy, is a novel cancer treatment that works by harnessing the body’s immune system to combat cancer. Unlike traditional therapies that directly target cancer cells, immunotherapy bolsters the body’s innate ability to identify and destroy malignant cells.
Our immune system is designed to recognise and eliminate foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. However, cancer cells can cleverly evade detection by the immune system. Immunotherapy aims to override these evasive tactics and stimulate the immune system to launch a precise attack on cancer cells.
Immunotherapy encompasses various approaches, including:
1. Checkpoint Inhibitors: These drugs block the checkpoints that cancer cells use to evade the immune system, allowing immune cells to recognise and attack them effectively.
2. Monoclonal Antibodies: These synthetic antibodies bind to specific proteins on cancer cells, making them easier targets for the immune system.
3. Cancer Vaccines: Cancer vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells, similar to how traditional vaccines prepare the body to fight infections.
4. Adoptive Cell Therapy: In this approach, immune cells are removed from the patient’s body, modified to enhance their cancer-fighting abilities, and then reintroduced.
Immunotherapy is changing the landscape of cancer treatment for precise targeting and long lasting effects.
Unlike chemotherapy, which can harm healthy cells along with cancer cells, immunotherapy is highly specific in its attack on cancer cells. This precision minimises side effects.
Some patients experience durable responses to immunotherapy, meaning their immune system can continue to control cancer long after treatment ends.
Immunotherapy can be used alongside other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, to improve overall effectiveness.
Immunotherapy has achieved remarkable results in various cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, and certain types of blood cancers. Patients who were once out of treatment options have experienced life-altering improvements in their health and quality of life.
With ongoing research and innovations, the potential for immunotherapy to become a cornerstone of cancer treatment is more promising than ever.