Understanding the Differences Between Cancer Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy

Cancer treatments have evolved significantly, offering new hope through immunotherapy, which has shown promising results compared to conventional chemotherapy. Clinical studies indicate that patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug, lived an average of 3.2 months longer than those receiving chemotherapy. This type accounts for approximately 25-30% of lung cancers. Findings released in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2015 conference highlight these advancements.

After one year, survival rates with nivolumab reached about 42%, nearly double the 24% observed with chemotherapy. While chemotherapy quickly shrinks tumors, it often causes significant side effects like hair loss and nausea. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, generally produces milder side effects such as skin rashes or diarrhea, and may take longer to show results, sometimes even initially appearing to grow before shrinking. This treatment approach is now being used for advanced-stage cancers.

Both therapies have side effects, but immunotherapy can be less toxic if managed properly.

Understanding the interaction between cancer cells and the immune system is crucial for effective immunotherapy.

Choice of treatment depends on the patient's overall health and cancer severity, with options including immunotherapy alone, chemotherapy, or combined therapies.

Immunotherapy represents a promising future for cancer treatment, with ongoing research leading to potential cures for various cancer types.