What is the Immunotherapy types and side effects?

Understanding Immunotherapy

Cancer has long been one of the most formidable challenges in medicine. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while often effective, can come with significant side effects and may not always provide long-lasting results. Enter immunotherapy – a groundbreaking approach that leverages the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. The immune system is your body’s natural defence against disease, but cancer cells can sometimes evade or suppress immune responses. Immunotherapy works by stimulating your immune system to work harder or smarter to attack cancer cells or by giving your immune system additional components to fight cancer. The Best medical oncologist in Chennai India plays an important role in immunotherapy treatment.

Types of Immunotherapy

There are several types of immunotherapy used in cancer treatment:

1. Checkpoint Inhibitors: These drugs release the “brakes” on your immune system, allowing it to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Examples include PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and CTLA-4 inhibitors.
2. CAR T-cell Therapy: This involves modifying a patient’s own T cells (a type of immune cell) to better recognize and attack cancer cells. The modified cells are then reinfused into the patient.
3. Cancer Vaccines: These vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to recognize cancer cells. Some prevent cancer, while others treat existing cancers.
4. Monoclonal Antibodies: These are lab-created molecules that act like substitute antibodies, designed to target specific parts of cancer cells.
5. Cytokines: These proteins help regulate immune activity. Two main types used in cancer treatment are interferons and interleukins.
6. Oncolytic Virus Therapy: This involves using modified viruses to infect and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

Side Effects of Immunotherapy

While immunotherapy can be highly effective, it’s not without potential side effects. These can vary depending on the type of immunotherapy and individual patient factors. Some common side effects include:

• Flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, fatigue)
• Skin reactions (rash, itching, vitiligo)
• Gastrointestinal issues (diarrhoea, colitis)
• Endocrine disorders (thyroid problems, diabetes)
• Lung inflammation (pneumonitis)
• Liver inflammation (hepatitis)

In some cases, immunotherapy can cause the immune system to attack healthy cells, leading to autoimmune-like conditions. While these side effects can be serious, they are often manageable with proper medical care. Patients must report any new symptoms to their healthcare team promptly.

Conclusion

Immunotherapy represents a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, offering hope for patients with previously difficult-to-treat cancers. While it’s not a panacea and comes with its own set of challenges, the ability to harness the body’s immune system to fight cancer is truly revolutionary.