What is Immunotherapy and its functions?

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. Cancer Doctors in Chennai India play 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.

Immunotherapy Treatment Plans

Immunotherapy treatment plans are highly individualized, taking into account factors such as:

• The type and stage of cancer
• The patient’s overall health and medical history
• Previous cancer treatments
• Specific genetic or molecular features of the cancer

A typical immunotherapy plan might involve:

1. Initial Assessment: The oncologist will conduct a thorough evaluation, including genetic testing of the tumour if appropriate.
2. Treatment Selection: Based on the assessment, the oncologist will recommend the most suitable type(s) of immunotherapy.
3. Administration: Depending on the therapy, this could involve regular infusions, oral medications, or procedures like CAR T-cell therapy.
4. Monitoring: Regular check-ups and scans to assess treatment effectiveness and manage side effects.
5. Adjustments: The treatment plan may be modified based on the patient’s response and any side effects experienced.
6. Combination Therapies: Immunotherapy is often combined with other treatments like chemotherapy or targeted therapy for enhanced effectiveness.

The duration of immunotherapy can vary widely. Some patients may receive treatment for a fixed period, while others might continue as long as it remains effective and manageable.

The Role of the Oncologist

Medical Oncologists in India play a pivotal role in immunotherapy treatment, serving as the orchestrators of a patient’s cancer care. Their responsibilities include:

1. Diagnosis and Staging: Accurately diagnosing the type and stage of cancer is crucial for determining if immunotherapy is an appropriate treatment option.
2. Treatment Planning: Oncologists design personalized treatment plans, deciding which type of immunotherapy (if any) is most suitable for each patient.
3. Patient Education: They explain the treatment process, potential benefits, and side effects to patients and their families, ensuring informed decision-making.
4. Coordination of Care: Oncologists often work with a multidisciplinary team, including immunologists, radiologists, and speciality nurses, to provide comprehensive care.
5. Monitoring and Management: They closely monitor treatment progress and manage side effects, making adjustments as necessary.
6. Research and Innovation: Many oncologists are involved in clinical trials, contributing to the advancement of immunotherapy treatments.
7. Survivorship Care: As immunotherapy can lead to long-term remissions, oncologists also play a role in long-term follow-up and survivorship care.

The Future of Immunotherapy

The field of cancer immunotherapy is rapidly evolving. Ongoing research is focused on:

• Identifying new immune checkpoints and developing inhibitors for them
• Improving CAR T-cell therapies and expanding their use to solid tumours
• Developing more effective cancer vaccines
• Understanding and overcoming resistance to immunotherapy
• Identifying biomarkers to better predict which patients will respond to specific immunotherapies

As our understanding of the immune system and its interaction with cancer deepens, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective immunotherapy treatments in the future.

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.

As research continues and treatments are refined, immunotherapy is likely to play an increasingly important role in cancer care. Patients considering immunotherapy should work closely with their oncologists to understand their options and determine the best treatment plan for their situation. With ongoing advancements in this field, we move closer to a future where cancer may be not just treatable, but potentially curable for many more patients.

Also Read: The Pivotal Role of Surgical Oncologists in Brain Tumor