Makati

Philippines

Phone Number

0962 950 7814
(02) 8637-2360

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slcelitemedicalcare@gmail.com

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy: Harnessing the Immune System to Fight Cancer

Immunotherapy is a revolutionary cancer treatment that boosts the body’s natural immune defenses to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy or radiation which directly attack tumors, immunotherapy empowers the patient’s own immune system to fight the disease more effectively.

How it Works

Immunotherapy works through several key mechanisms:

  1. Immune Checkpoint Inhibition

PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors (e.g., Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab): Block proteins that prevent T-cells from attacking cancer cells

CTLA-4 Inhibitors (e.g., Ipilimumab): Help activate and proliferate T-cells

  1. CAR T-Cell Therapy

Genetically modifies patient’s T-cells to better recognize cancer-specific antigens

Particularly effective for blood cancers

  1. Cancer Vaccines

Stimulate immune response against tumor-specific antigens

Includes preventive (HPV vaccine) and therapeutic vaccines

  1. Cytokine Therapy

Uses immune system proteins (interleukins, interferons) to enhance immune activity

  1. Oncolytic Virus Therapy

Uses modified viruses that selectively infect and kill cancer cells while stimulating immune response.

Conditions Treated:

Immunotherapy has shown remarkable success in treating various cancers:

Solid Tumors

  • Melanoma (First FDA-approved use for ipilimumab in 2011)
  • Lung Cancer (PD-1 inhibitors for NSCLC)
  • Renal Cell Carcinoma
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Head and Neck Cancers
  • Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (Pembrolizumab)
  • Ovarian Cancer (Emerging applications)

Hematologic Malignancies

  • Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Leukemias
  • Multiple Myeloma

Advantages of Immunotherapy

  1. Targeted Action
    • Specifically enhances immune response against cancer cells
    • Generally spares healthy tissues compared to chemotherapy
  1. Durable Responses
    • Can provide long-term remission even after treatment ends
    • “Immunological memory” may prevent recurrence
  1. Synergy with Other Treatments

Often combined effectively with:

    • Chemotherapy
    • Radiation therapy
    • Targeted therapy
  1. Manageable Side Effect Profile
    • Different toxicity spectrum than chemotherapy
    • Most common side effects are fatigue, skin reactions, and flu-like symptoms
  1. Potential for Personalized Treatment
    • Biomarkers like PD-L1 expression help identify likely responders
    • Tumor mutational burden can predict response