Immunotherapy employs substances produced by the body or in a laboratory to stimulate the immune system and assist it in locating and eliminating cancer cells. It may be administered alone or in conjunction with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that protects the body from pathogens. It accomplishes this by identifying and eliminating disease-causing germs, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. There are two types of immunity: innate immunity and adaptive immunity. As soon as it detects a pathogen, an individual's innate immunity begins to combat infection.
Immune cells patrol your blood and tissues in search of intruders, sending them action-inducing signals. There are numerous varieties of white blood cells, such as phagocytes (which engulf and digest invaders) and lymphocytes. (which attach to invaders and attack). They are produced in the bone marrow and deposited in various organs, such as the thymus, tonsils, and adenoids.
Immunotherapy is an expanding field of cancer treatment that reawakens the immune system to combat malignancies. It is used to treat a variety of malignancies, such as melanoma, ovarian and breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. In immunotherapy, the body's natural defenses, such as T-cells, are activated in order to attack malignancies. Some patients have exhibited dramatic and lasting responses as a consequence of this reawakening.
Other forms of immunotherapy employ a technique known as adoptive cell transfer to boost critical immune cells that combat the development of tumors. These cells are extracted from the patient's blood, modified in a laboratory, and then administered intravenously. This approach has been approved for treating children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and adults with B-cell lymphoma that has not responded to other treatments.
Immunotherapy is effective because it assists the immune system in locating and destroying cancer cells. However, it also has negative effects on your health. Some of these adverse effects are temporary and resolve on their own. Others, however, may be more severe or last longer. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience a side effect that worsens or does not go away. This will assist your doctor continue or discontinue treatment as necessary.
The epidermis, lungs, joints, heart, and other organs may experience these side effects. They can be irritating and inhibit normal function. If these adverse effects are severe, your physician may suspend immunotherapy and prescribe a medication to suppress your immune system. If immunotherapy is ineffective, your doctor may alter the dosage or add another medication.
Immunotherapy is a form of cancer therapy that employs the immune system to combat malignancies. It can assist some cancer patients who do not respond to other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Additionally, it aids some individuals remain cancer-free for longer periods of time. It can strengthen your immune system so that it can detect and destroy cancer cells if they return.
Researchers are conducting clinical trials to determine which immunotherapies are most effective for patients with various malignancies. They are also investigating the use of immunotherapy to treat genetic disorders, autoimmune disease, and inflammation, among others.
Some forms of immunotherapy may have adverse effects. These side effects can be moderate or severe and can occur during or after treatment. There may be flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and cutaneous reactions such as a rash. These adverse effects are treatable with corticosteroids or other medications.