immunotherapy – a new way to treat cancer

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight the cancer cells. It is a relatively new approach to cancer treatment that has shown promise in treating a variety of types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. 

Some common types of immunotherapy include checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and cancer vaccines. Immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. There are many hospitals that provide immunotherapy in India as a cancer treatment.

immunotherapy is considered a relatively new way of treating cancer. It was first approved by the FDA in 2011 and has since been used to treat a variety of different types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. 

Immunotherapy works by harnessing the power of the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells, rather than attacking the cancer cells directly with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. This approach can be more targeted and less toxic than traditional cancer treatments, and has the potential to be more effective in certain cases. 

However, it’s important to note that not all patients respond to immunotherapy, and it’s not a cure for all types of cancer. It’s typically used in combination with other treatments and tailored to each individual patient.

Different types of immunotherapy

There are several different types of immunotherapy that are used to treat cancer, including:

1. Checkpoint inhibitors: These drugs work by blocking specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells that help them evade the immune system. Examples of checkpoint inhibitors include nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab.
2. CAR T-cell therapy: This type of immunotherapy involves removing T-cells (a type of white blood cell) from the patient’s blood, genetically modifying them to target cancer cells, and then infusing them back into the patient’s body.
3. Cancer vaccines: These are designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. One example is Provenge (sipuleucel-T) which is used to treat prostate cancer.
4. Monoclonal antibodies: These are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful invaders. Examples include rituximab and trastuzumab which are used to treat certain types of cancer.
5. Cytokines: These are proteins that help to regulate the immune response. Interferon and interleukin-2 are examples of cytokines used in cancer treatment.
6. Adoptive cell transfer: This type of immunotherapy involves taking T cells from a patient, growing them in the lab, and then infusing them back into the patient.

It’s important to note that not all types of immunotherapy work for all types of cancer, and some are still in clinical trials. The best treatment will depend on the specific type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health.

What types of cancers are treated with immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy can be used to treat a variety of different types of cancer, including:

• Melanoma: This is a type of skin cancer that can be particularly aggressive. Checkpoint inhibitors have been shown to be very effective in treating advanced melanoma.
• Lung cancer: Several checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of lung cancer, including nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab.
• Kidney cancer: A number of checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer, including nivolumab and pembrolizumab.
• Head and neck cancer: Immunotherapy has shown promising results in treating head and neck cancer, both alone and in combination with other treatments.
• Bladder cancer: Immunotherapy is now a standard treatment for advanced bladder cancer, and it has also shown promise in treating earlier stages of the disease.
• Hodgkin lymphoma: Checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Prostate cancer: Immunotherapy is being studied as a treatment for prostate cancer and some clinical trials have shown promising results.
• Gastrointestinal cancer: Checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapy drugs are being studied as a treatment for various types of gastrointestinal cancer, such as colorectal cancer, stomach cancer and pancreatic cancer.

It’s important to note that not all types of cancer are equally responsive to immunotherapy, and the best treatment will depend on the specific type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health.

When is immunotherapy given to a patient?

The timing of immunotherapy treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. 

In general, immunotherapy is often used in patients with advanced cancer who have not responded well to other treatments. For example, checkpoint inhibitors are often used as a second-line or later-line treatment for advanced melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and other types of cancer.

Immunotherapy can also be given to patients with earlier-stage cancer as a way to prevent the cancer from returning after surgery or radiation therapy. For example, adjuvant immunotherapy is an approach to prevent the relapse of cancer after surgery.

Additionally, immunotherapy can be given to patients with early stage cancer as a neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove.

It’s important to note that every patient is different, and the best treatment plan will depend on the specific type and stage of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. It’s important to discuss with your oncologist the best timing and approach for your particular case.