Immunotherapy is changing the way we treat cancer by using the body’s own immune system to find and destroy cancer cells. Unlike regular treatments like chemotherapy or radiation that attack cancer cells directly, immunotherapy boosts the immune system. This makes it a more focused way to fight cancer.
Checkpoint Inhibitors: These medications stop certain proteins that hold back the immune system. Think of them as "taking off the brakes" on the immune response. Drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo) help T-cells, a type of immune cell, recognize and attack cancer better.
CAR T-cell Therapy: This special treatment changes a patient’s T-cells so they can spot specific cancer markers. After these modified cells are put back into the patient, they hunt down and destroy cancer cells. One example of this treatment is Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), which has shown good results for some types of blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
Monoclonal Antibodies: These are man-made molecules that can attach to certain points on cancer cells. For example, trastuzumab (Herceptin) targets the HER2 protein, which is found in high amounts in some breast cancers, helping the immune system attack these cells.
Targeted Action: Since it focuses on specific cancer markers, immunotherapy causes less harm to healthy cells compared to regular treatments.
Long-lasting Effects: Some responses to immunotherapy can last longer than those from traditional treatments, leading to longer periods without cancer.
In summary, immunotherapy is an exciting new way to treat cancer by providing targeted and often gentler options. It can lead to better outcomes for patients, giving them hope for effective treatment.
Immunotherapy is changing the way we treat cancer by using the body’s own immune system to find and destroy cancer cells. Unlike regular treatments like chemotherapy or radiation that attack cancer cells directly, immunotherapy boosts the immune system. This makes it a more focused way to fight cancer.
Checkpoint Inhibitors: These medications stop certain proteins that hold back the immune system. Think of them as "taking off the brakes" on the immune response. Drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo) help T-cells, a type of immune cell, recognize and attack cancer better.
CAR T-cell Therapy: This special treatment changes a patient’s T-cells so they can spot specific cancer markers. After these modified cells are put back into the patient, they hunt down and destroy cancer cells. One example of this treatment is Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel), which has shown good results for some types of blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
Monoclonal Antibodies: These are man-made molecules that can attach to certain points on cancer cells. For example, trastuzumab (Herceptin) targets the HER2 protein, which is found in high amounts in some breast cancers, helping the immune system attack these cells.
Targeted Action: Since it focuses on specific cancer markers, immunotherapy causes less harm to healthy cells compared to regular treatments.
Long-lasting Effects: Some responses to immunotherapy can last longer than those from traditional treatments, leading to longer periods without cancer.
In summary, immunotherapy is an exciting new way to treat cancer by providing targeted and often gentler options. It can lead to better outcomes for patients, giving them hope for effective treatment.