Innovations in Cancer Treatment: The Rise of Immunotherapy
Cancer treatment has evolved significantly over the past few decades, with a notable shift towards more targeted and less invasive methods. One such development that has shown promising results is immunotherapy.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy, also known as biologic therapy, is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. It uses substances made from living organisms to boost, direct, or restore your immune system’s ability to fight cancer.
How Does Immunotherapy Work?
Immunotherapy works by either stimulating the immune system to attack the cancer cells or by blocking the mechanisms that cancer cells use to evade the immune system. This can lead to the destruction of cancer cells and the prevention of their growth and spread.
Types of Immunotherapy
There are several types of immunotherapy, including: Monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, and therapeutic vaccines. Each type works differently and is used to treat different types of cancer.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made proteins designed to seek out and attach to specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells. This can help the immune system find and destroy the cancer cells.
Checkpoint Inhibitors
Checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that block the proteins that help cancer cells hide from the immune system. By blocking these proteins, the immune system can better recognize and attack the cancer cells.
CAR T-Cell Therapy
CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy in which a patient’s T cells (a type of immune cell) are removed and genetically modified to recognize proteins on the surface of cancer cells. Once reintroduced into the patient, these modified T cells can attack the cancer cells.
Therapeutic Vaccines
Therapeutic vaccines are designed to boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. They can be used to stimulate an immune response against specific cancer cells or to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells that have spread throughout the body.
Future of Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a rapidly evolving field, and researchers are continually working to improve these treatments and develop new ones. The future of cancer treatment looks promising, with immunotherapy playing a significant role in the fight against this deadly disease.
