Immunotherapy represents a revolutionary approach in treating cancer, particularly in advanced stages where traditional chemotherapy may falter. Late-stage cancers often pose significant challenges due to rapid growth and resistance to conventional treatments.

In this context, immunotherapy offers a distinctive strategy: rather than directly attacking cancer cells, it enhances the body’s innate ability to combat them. Picture the immune system as an army that can be trained to recognize and eradicate cancer cells.

This approach is compelling because it not only targets the cancer itself but also strengthens the body’s defenses against it. From stimulating the immune response to deploying specific antibodies that tag cancer cells for destruction, immunotherapy is tailored to each patient’s unique cancer profile and immune system.

Ongoing research and development continue to refine immunotherapy, aiming to maximize its effectiveness in treating advanced cancers. For patients facing daunting diagnoses where conventional treatments have limited impact, immunotherapy represents a beacon of hope, offering the potential for renewed life and outcomes beyond current therapeutic options.

Mechanism of Action:

Chemotherapy: Kills fast-dividing cancer cells directly by using powerful drugs.

Immunotherapy: Strengthens the body’s immune response to identify cancer cells and destroy them.

Target:

Chemotherapy: Acts on all actively dividing cells, malignant as well as normal.

Immunotherapy: Is specifically toxic to cancer cells while having minimal effects on the normal cells.

Side Effects:

Chemotherapy: Some of the side effects are hair loss, nausea and fatigue as it affects the healthy cells in the body.

Immunotherapy: Usually has less side effects and those that may occur are associated with the stimulation of the immune response.

Effectiveness:

Chemotherapy: Effective across various cancer types but may lead to resistance or recurrence.

Immunotherapy: Effective in some cancers that are resistant to chemotherapy or other treatments.

Application:

Chemotherapy: Used extensively in the management of many cancers, particularly in the case of shrinking tumors and alleviation of symptoms.

Personalization:

Chemotherapy: They are the standard doses that are recommended depending on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease.

Immunotherapy: May be tailored according to the patients’ immunological status and the type of cancer.

• Inhibitors of immune checkpoints
• Adoptive cell transfer/T-cell therapy with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)
• Monoclonal Antibodies
• Vaccines for therapeutic purposes
• Adoptive Cell Transfer
• Cytokine Therapy

Checkpoint Inhibitors:

Checkpoint inhibitors are agents that enhance the ability of the immune system to detect cancer cells and destroy them. Usually, the immune cells are kept in check (like brakes) so that they do not attack normal cells. These checkpoints can be exploited by cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors prevent these checkpoints, enabling the immune system to identify the cancer cells and destroy them. These include PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) or CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) drugs.

Monoclonal Antibodies:

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that can target specific markers on cancer cells.They function by binding to these markers to label the cancer cells for elimination by the immune system. The other way that monoclonal antibodies can be used is to transport drugs, radiation or any other substance to the cancer cells. Some of them are trastuzumab (Herceptin) used in the treatment of breast cancer and rituximab (Rituxan) for certain types of lymphoma.

CAR T-cell Therapy:

CAR T-cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy in which T cells, a type of white blood cell, are collected from the patient, genetically altered in the laboratory to be better able to identify and destroy cancer cells. This is done by incorporating a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) which helps the T cells to find proteins on the surface of the cancer cells. These modified CAR T cells are then brought back to the patient’s body to replicate and kill the cancer cells. CAR T-cell therapy has been established to be effective in the management of certain types of leukemia and lymphoma.

Cytokine Therapy:

Cytokines are tiny proteins that help control how the immune system works. In cytokine therapy, doctors use these proteins to make the immune system stronger at finding and killing cancer cells. Interferons and interleukins are two kinds of cytokines used in this treatment. They help immune cells become more active in attacking cancer cells, making the body better at fighting the disease.

Cancer Vaccines:

Cancer vaccines work differently from typical vaccines that prevent diseases. Instead of preventing illness, they train the immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells. These vaccines teach the immune system to identify cancer cells as harmful and prompt it to attack and destroy them. It’s like giving the body a lesson on how to recognize and defeat cancer, helping to strengthen its natural defenses against the disease.

Adoptive Cell Transfer:

Adoptive cell transfer is a treatment where doctors take immune cells called T cells from a person’s body. They change these cells in a lab to make them better at finding and fighting cancer cells. Then, they put these modified cells back into the person’s body. This helps the cells find and destroy cancer cells more effectively than they could before. It’s like giving the body’s natural defense system a powerful upgrade to fight cancer more effectively.

Each type of immunotherapy works in different ways to harness the power of the immune system against cancer. They represent a promising area of cancer treatment, offering new options for patients and continually evolving through ongoing research and clinical trials.

Immunotherapy is an advanced treatment for cancer that uses the body’s immune system to target and fight cancer cells. While it holds promise for treating various types of cancer, it can also lead to several side effects due to how it boosts immune responses:

Fatigue:  When you’re undergoing treatment like immunotherapy, it’s common to feel more tired than usual. You might need to rest more often or take breaks throughout the day. This tiredness can affect how much you can do in a day, so it’s important to listen to your body and take the rest you need to feel better.

Skin Reactions: Some people may develop mild skin issues like rashes, itching, or redness where they receive the treatment. Doctors closely watch these reactions to ensure they don’t worsen.

Flu-like Symptoms: Shortly after treatment, patients might experience symptoms similar to the flu, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches. These usually improve as the body adapts to the therapy.

Digestive Problems: Immunotherapy can affect digestion, causing issues like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or changes in appetite. Medications can help manage these symptoms effectively.

Immune related Reactions: When you get immunotherapy, it can make your immune system attack not only cancer cells but also healthy parts of your body by mistake. This can cause problems like inflammation in your lungs, liver, or intestines. Doctors keep a close watch for these reactions to manage them early and keep your treatment safe.

Endocrine Issues: During treatment, immunotherapy can sometimes cause changes in hormone levels that affect the thyroid gland. This might lead to problems like having too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism).

Rare but Severe Effects: Although uncommon, immunotherapy can trigger serious reactions like inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or neurological issues.

It’s really important for patients to keep talking with their healthcare team, especially with an Immunotherapist who knows a lot about these treatments. They need to keep a close watch on how you’re doing and any symptoms you might have that seem strange. This helps them manage side effects well and make sure you get the best results from your cancer treatment.

Dr. Vikesh Shah, a distinguished specialist in Cancer Immunotherapy  in Ahmedabad, is renowned for his expertise in Personalized and Targeted Cancer Immunotherapy techniques. He earned his MBBS degree from Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, and completed his MD at the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi.

With a wealth of experience in Cancer Immunotherapy, Dr. Vikesh Shah is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of treatment methodologies. Together with his team, he actively conducts nationwide mass campaigns and outreach programs aimed at raising awareness and educating communities about the transformative benefits of these advanced treatments.

Dr. Vikesh Shah is not only respected for his professional accomplishments but also admired for his humility and unwavering dedication. His compassionate nature drives him to tirelessly combat cancer, offering hope and healing to patients while advocating for greater societal involvement in the battle against this challenging disease.