Immunotherapy is a method used to treat diseases by harnessing the body’s immune system. Also known as biological therapy, immunotherapy aims to effectively direct the immune system to treat diseases. Immunotherapy is a method used to treat diseases by harnessing the body’s immune system
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The body’s immune system plays a crucial role in recognizing microorganisms and abnormal cells and launching an attack against them. Biological therapy supports the treatment process by helping this natural defense system function 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 within and around tumors as well. Lymphocytes that infiltrate 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 employ various mechanisms to avoid being recognized or destroyed by the immune system. These mechanisms include genetic alterations that make cancer cells less detectable, the presence of proteins on their surfaces that block interaction with immune cells, and the alteration of normal cells surrounding the tumor to suppress the immune system’s response to the tumor.
Immunotherapy combats these inhibitory mechanisms to make the immune system more effective. By enhancing the recognition and targeting of cancer cells, this method helps generate a stronger immune response against tumors.
What Are the Types of Immunotherapy?
Various immunotherapy methods can be used depending on the course of different types of cancer. The main types of biological therapy are treatment approaches tailored for cancer treatment that target different mechanisms. The primary types of immunotherapy are as follows:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors,
- T-cell transfer therapy,
- Monoclonal antibodies,
- Cancer vaccines,
- Immune system modulators.
What Are the Side Effects of Immunotherapy?
This treatment method, which strengthens the body’s response to diseases by altering the activity of the immune system, may cause side effects in some patients. Side effects can vary depending on the type of treatment, the medications used, the patient’s overall health, and other factors. Some of the side effects of immunotherapy include:
Immune System-Related Side Effects: Since immunotherapy works by stimulating the immune system, excessive immune responses may occur. These reactions may manifest as flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, fever, chills, and muscle aches.
Skin Reactions: It can cause various skin reactions. Skin issues such as redness, itching, rash, and dryness are commonly observed.
Gastrointestinal Issues: By affecting the intestines, it may lead to digestive system problems such as diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain.
Lung Problems: In rare cases, it may cause lung problems. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain may indicate these types of problems.
Liver Problems: It may cause elevated liver enzymes. In such cases, symptoms such as jaundice and abdominal pain may occur.
Endocrine Side Effects: It may sometimes affect the function of endocrine glands, such as the thyroid gland. These effects can lead to changes in hormone levels and metabolic problems.
Neurological Side Effects: In rare cases, it may cause neurological problems. Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and loss of balance may occur.
General Discomfort: During treatment, patients may experience a general sense of discomfort. This can manifest as symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, and feeling weak.
How Is Immunotherapy Administered?
Immunotherapy is an effective method used to treat diseases by strengthening the immune system. The method of administration may vary depending on the characteristics of the medication, the type of disease, and the patient’s condition. This treatment, which is carried out using various methods, involves different administration routes such as intravenous (IV), oral, topical, or intravesical.
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 specifically in the treatment of 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.