Immunotherapy is a method of treating diseases using the body's immune system. Immunotherapy, also called biological therapy, aims to effectively direct the immune system in the treatment of diseases.
Description: Immunotherapy is a method of treating diseases using the body's immune system.
The body's immune system plays an important role in recognizing and attacking microorganisms and abnormal cells. Biological therapy supports the treatment process by enabling this natural defense system to work more effectively against diseases.
How does immunotherapy work against cancer?
The immune system plays a critical role in preventing or slowing the development of many cancers by detecting and destroying abnormal cells within the body. This defense mechanism can sometimes be active in areas in and around tumors. Lymphocytes infiltrating these areas are considered an indicator that the immune system is responding to the tumor.
Under normal conditions, the immune system can suppress or slow the growth of cancer cells. However, cancer cells can use various mechanisms to avoid being recognized or destroyed by the immune system. These mechanisms include genetic changes in cancer cells that make them less visible, the presence of proteins on the cell surface that prevent immune cells from interacting with them, and altering normal cells around the tumor to prevent the immune system from responding to the tumor.
Immunotherapy makes the immune system more effective by fighting against these inhibitory mechanisms. By increasing the recognition and targeting of cancer cells, this method helps to create a stronger immune response against tumors.
What are the Types of Immunotherapy?
Various immunotherapy methods can be used in the course of different types of cancer. The main types of biological therapy are treatment approaches that are customized for cancer treatment and target different mechanisms. The main types of immunotherapy are:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors,
- T-cell transfer therapy,
- Monoclonal antibodies,
- Cancer treatment vaccines,
- Immune system modulators.
What are the side effects of immunotherapy?
This treatment method, in which the immune system strengthens its response to diseases by changing its activity, may cause side effects in some patients. Side effects may vary depending on the type of treatment, the drugs used, the patient's general health and other factors. Some of the side effects of immunotherapy can be listed as follows:
Immune System Related Side Effects: Since it works by stimulating the immune system, excessive immune responses may occur. These reactions can manifest themselves with flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, fever, chills, muscle aches.
Skin Reactions: It can cause various skin reactions. Skin problems such as redness, itching, rash, dryness can be seen frequently.
Intestinal Problems: It can affect the intestines and cause digestive system problems such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain.
Lung Problems: In rare cases, it can cause lung problems. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, chest pain may indicate such problems.
Liver Problems: It may cause an increase in liver enzymes. In this case, symptoms such as jaundice and abdominal pain may occur.
Endocrine Side Effects: It can sometimes affect the functioning of endocrine glands such as the thyroid gland. Such effects can lead to changes in hormone levels and metabolism problems.
Neurological Side Effects: In rare cases it can cause neurological problems. Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, loss of balance may occur.
Feeling of Discomfort: During treatment, patients may experience a general feeling of discomfort. This can manifest itself in symptoms such as lack of energy, weakness and feeling weak.
How is Immunotherapy Applied?
Immunotherapy is an effective method used to strengthen the immune system in the treatment of diseases. The method of application may vary depending on the properties of the drug used, the type of disease and the patient's condition. In this treatment, which is carried out with various methods; different application methods such as intravenous (IV), oral, topical or intravesical are used.
Which Types of Cancer Are Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors?
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are immunotherapy drugs that help the immune system mount a more effective response against cancer cells. These drugs are used to treat certain types of cancer. Some types of cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors include
- Skin cancer,
- Lung cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer,
- Head and neck cancers,
- Hodgkin's Lymphoma.