Exploring the Main Types of Cancer Immunotherapy
This article details the various types of cancer immunotherapy, including non-specific therapies, T-cell treatments, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and oncolytic virus therapy. The discussion emphasizes how each approach boosts the immune system's ability to target and destroy cancer cells, offering promising options for cancer management and treatment.
Immunotherapy, also known as biologique therapy, harnesses natural or lab-produced substances to strengthen the body's defenses against cancer. Its goal is to enhance immune response to eliminate cancer cells, halt their growth, and prevent metastasis. There are four primary forms of immunotherapy:
Non-specific immunotherapies
These therapies, including interleukins and interferons, stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells alone or alongside other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
Interleukins are primarily used for melanoma and kidney cancers, while interferons are effective for a broader range of tumors.
T-cell therapyT-cell immunotherapy involves modifying a patient’s T-cells in the lab to include specific receptors aimed at targeting and destroying cancer cells. These engineered cells are expanded and reintroduced into the patient to seek out and eliminate tumors.
Cancer vaccines
Vaccines designed to fight cancer include therapeutic and preventive types, introducing antigens to help the immune system recognize and combat cancerous cells.
Monoclonal antibodies
Monoclonal antibodies, like Avelumab and pembrolizumab, are lab-made proteins that attach to cancer-specific targets to flag and destroy malignant cells. They also inhibit immune checkpoints that tumors exploit to evade immune responses.
Oncolytic virus therapy
This treatment injects genetically-engineered viruses, such as T-VEC, directly into tumors. The viruses infect and rupture cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, aiding the immune system in cancer eradication. Patients often undergo multiple injections until tumors are eliminated.
