Immunotherapy is a new class of cancer treatment that has delivered astonishing results till date. Also known as Biological Therapy or Biotherapy, it is a new type of cancer treatment that enhances the body's immune system to fight against cancer. Immunotherapy for cancer in India can be done either by:-
There are several types of Immunotherapies:
Either single or two or more of these immunotherapies are used together depending on the needs of the patient.
Monoclonal antibodies are based on the working principle of human immune system (produce antibodies when the body is infected by external bodies like bacteria, fungi, etc). These types of antibodies are prepared artificially and are inserted into the body intravenously (through the veins). They work either by:
They are usually given in chorus with other traditional treatments like Chemotherapy. It is done either by using laboratory prepared Interferons which slows down the growth of cancer cells or by using Interleukins which destroys the cancer cells.
They expose the immune system with a protein that makes the immune system to distinguish and destroy the cancer causing cells. It can be done either by using Preventive vaccines which are given to prevent a person from the viruses like Human papillomavirus (HPV) that prevent cervical cancer, or by treatment vaccine trains the immune system to fight against the cancer.
Cancer vaccines are considered active immunotherapies, because the substances that are injected into the patient are meant to trigger an active response by the patient's own immune system. These vaccines cause the immune system to produce antibodies against antigens and/or to produce cytotoxic T lymphocytes to attack cancer cells that have those antigens. Vaccines may also be combined with non-specific immunotherapy using additional substances or cells called ‘Adjuvants’ to boost the immune response.
In a nutshell, Immunotherapy is a personalised treatment of cancer, and will vary from patient to patient. Via immunotherapy, body’s own defence mechanism is enhanced to combat and destroy the cancer cells. Cancer specialists dealing in the arena of immunology cancer treatment have said that Immunotherapy has proved to be a breakthrough treatment where the outcomes have been great. In this form of treatment, cells or natural substances by the own body are restored in the laboratory to improve the functioning of the immune system.
Immunotherapy is evolving and emerging as a critical component for breast cancer treatment. Setting the groundwork for future success, studies have shown that breast cancer is immunogenic. It has an average analysis of cell which is predictive of response. This varies by histology with triple negative breast cancer having the highest burden.
Also, previous immune strategies have led to survival benefits suggesting Immunotherapy for breast cancer playing a role. There are many clinical trials to analyse strategies for patients with breast cancer.
Past that, different forms of immunotherapies are being used to treat different kinds of cancer. Some forms of cancer which are treated with immunotherapy are:
There are well known treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, which are formulated to fight cancer, then why should one opt for Immunotherapy?
One reason is because of the nature of these treatments that are based on destroying cancer cells by burning them (radiation), by poisoning them (chemo) and by removing them (surgery). While they can efficiently kill cancer cells, these treatments are restricted because large numbers of normal cells are also destroyed.
Prolonged treatment via these methods will also lead to life altering side effects. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, is not toxic. Few of the major benefits over other cancer healing methods include:
Immunotherapies may be given:
Immunotherapy can operate as a standalone means of cancer treatment, or it can be combined with other cancer remedies.
Treatment of cancer via chemotherapy or radiation often cause a drastic change in the size of cancerous tumors, which is measurable and can be monitored through CT/MRI/Pet Scan and through changes in cancer cell marker levels in the blood. A patient’s response to Immunotherapy cannot be measured in the same way. Immunotherapy methods can take more time to effectively work as they encourage the patient’s own immune system to attack the cancerous tumor.
Thus, the tumor may continue to grow, despite the fact that immunotherapy is being delivered. Also, the speed of response may vary according to the type of immunotherapy being administered. While receiving immunotherapy, your healthcare team will monitor your disease status and any adverse side effects throughout the course of the treatment, though it may take weeks for a measurable response from your immune system.
Current cancer research on immunotherapy includes:
Cancer Healer Center is one the leading Immunotherapy clinics in India. This Center has been successful in treating more than 3200 patients till date. As per Nikolai Lenin 'The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart'. Immunotherapy cancer treatment in India aims to a future with a long and healthy life, not living in the shadows of Cancer but light.
For more information on cancer diagnosis or cancer treatment contact us now and book your appointment.
For More Related Information: