Dr Shruti Arora

How Does Immunotherapy Work to Treat Cancer?

Cancer is a disease that impacts millions of lives every year, with over 18 million new cases diagnosed globally in 2020 alone . Despite advances in traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, these approaches often come with significant side effects and do not always offer long-term success. However, a new frontier in cancer treatment is emerging—immunotherapy. This innovative approach is not just a buzzword; it’s showing real promise, with studies. Another promising statistic: in certain types of cancers like melanoma, the five-year survival rate has improved dramatically with the introduction of immunotherapy, rising from 25% to over 50% . This growing field is changing the way we think about cancer treatment, offering new hope and possibilities for patients worldwide.

What is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer

Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer.

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Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses your body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Think of your immune system as your body’s natural defense force. It’s designed to protect you from harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, and, yes, even cancer cells. But sometimes, cancer cells can sneak past your immune system without being detected. That’s where immunotherapy comes in—it helps your immune system recognize and destroy these hidden threats.

How Immunotherapy Helps the Immune System Fight Cancer

The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to keep you healthy. Normally, it’s pretty good at spotting cells that aren’t behaving right, including cancer cells. However, cancer is tricky. It can hide from the immune system or even turn off the immune response that would normally destroy it. Cancer immunotherapy works by boosting your immune system’s ability to find and attack cancer cells.

How Immunotherapy Works to Fight Cancer

Enhancing Immune Recognition with Immunotherapy

One of the key ways immunotherapy for cancer works is by helping the immune system recognize cancer cells that it might otherwise miss. By exposing hidden markers on these cells or blocking signals that suppress immune responses, immunotherapy makes the cancer visible to the body’s defenses.

Boosting Immune Response with Immunotherapy

Some types of immunotherapy treatment increase the overall activity of the immune system, making it stronger and more capable of attacking cancer cells.

Targeting Specific Cancer Cells with Immunotherapy

Many types of immunotherapy are designed to target cancer cells specifically, which means they leave healthy cells alone. This targeted approach reduces damage to normal tissues and leads to fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments like chemotherapy.

Altering the Tumor Microenvironment with Immunotherapy

The area around a tumor, known as the tumor microenvironment, can either help or hinder the growth of cancer. Some immunotherapies work by changing this environment to make it less supportive of cancer and more vulnerable to immune attacks.

Benefits of Immunotherapy for Cancer Patients

Long-lasting Protection from Cancer with Immunotherapy

One of the most exciting benefits of cancer immunotherapy is its potential to offer long-lasting protection against cancer. Once your immune system is trained to recognize and fight cancer, it might continue to do so even after treatment ends, reducing the risk of the cancer coming back.

Fewer Side Effects of Immunotherapy Compared to Chemotherapy

Compared to chemotherapy, immunotherapy side effects are generally less severe. Since immunotherapy drugs are more targeted, they’re less likely to harm healthy cells, which means fewer and milder side effects.

Immunotherapy's Effectiveness Against Various Cancers

Immunotherapy for cancer has shown success in treating a variety of cancers, including those that are difficult to treat with traditional methods, like melanoma, lung cancer, and certain types of lymphoma.

Combining Immunotherapy with Other Treatments

Immunotherapy can be combined with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation to enhance its effectiveness. This combination can lead to better outcomes and a higher immunotherapy success rate.

Side Effects of Immunotherapy Treatment and How to Overcome Them

While immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, it’s important to be aware that, like any medical treatment, it can come with side effects. These side effects occur because immunotherapy drugs boost the immune system, which can sometimes cause it to attack not only cancer cells but also healthy cells. The intensity and type of side effects can vary depending on the specific immunotherapy treatment, the type of cancer, and the individual patient’s health.

Common Side Effects of Immunotherapy

  1. Fatigue: Feeling tired or exhausted is one of the most common side effects of immunotherapy. This can range from mild to severe and can impact your daily activities.
  2. Skin Reactions: Rashes, itching, and dryness are common, especially with checkpoint inhibitors. These reactions usually appear where the immunotherapy drug is injected or in general areas like the face or limbs.
  3. Flu-like Symptoms: Fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches can occur, mimicking symptoms of the flu.
  4. Digestive Issues: Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are frequent side effects that can lead to weight loss and dehydration if not managed properly.
  5. Autoimmune Reactions: Since immunotherapy enhances immune activity, it can sometimes cause the immune system to attack healthy organs, leading to conditions like colitis (inflammation of the colon), hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), or pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs).

Managing and Overcoming Immunotherapy Side Effects

  • Communication with Your Healthcare Team: Always report any side effects to your oncologist immediately. Early intervention can prevent complications and manage symptoms more effectively.
  • Rest and Energy Management: If fatigue is a significant issue, try to balance activities with periods of rest. Gentle exercise like walking can help boost energy levels, but listen to your body and don’t overdo it.
  • Skincare Routine: For skin reactions, use mild, unscented moisturizers and avoid harsh soaps. Wearing loose-fitting, soft clothing can also help reduce irritation.
  • Diet and Hydration: Stay hydrated and eat small, frequent meals to help manage digestive symptoms. Foods that are easy on the stomach, like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, can be helpful.
  • Medications for Side Effects: Your doctor may prescribe medications to alleviate side effects like nausea or diarrhea. Over-the-counter antihistamines can also help with mild skin reactions, but always consult your doctor before taking any new medication.
  • Monitoring and Adjustments: Regular check-ups and monitoring of your overall health are crucial. Sometimes, adjusting the dosage or schedule of your immunotherapy treatment can reduce side effects while maintaining its effectiveness.

Immunotherapy Treatment Cost & Availability in Mumbai and India: What to Expect

Access to Immunotherapy in India

In India, immunotherapy is becoming more widely available, with leading hospitals offering these treatments. However, not all patients qualify, and accessibility can vary based on factors like location and cost.

Cost of Immunotherapy Treatment in India

Immunotherapy treatment in India can be costly, with prices ranging from ₹1-1.5 lakh per session. While this is a barrier for some, the potential benefits make it a worthwhile option for many patients.

Conclusion: Immunotherapy's Role in Cancer Treatment

Immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking advancement in the fight against cancer, offering hope where traditional treatments may fall short. By harnessing the power of the immune system, immunotherapy not only targets cancer cells more precisely but also provides long-lasting protection against recurrence in some cases. While not every patient may respond to immunotherapy and side effects can be a concern, ongoing research and clinical trials continue to refine these treatments, making them more effective and accessible.

The potential of immunotherapy in transforming cancer care is immense, offering new avenues for those battling various types of cancer. If you or a loved one is considering immunotherapy or want to learn more about whether this innovative treatment could be right for you, we encourage you to reach out.

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