Immunotherapy
A cancer treatment approach that helps the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells in selected patients.
What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps the body’s immune system fight cancer. The immune system normally protects the body from infections and abnormal cells, but cancer cells can sometimes avoid being recognized or attacked.
Immunotherapy works by helping the immune system detect cancer cells more effectively, strengthen immune response, or block signals that cancer cells use to hide from the immune system.
It is not suitable for every cancer patient. Whether immunotherapy is appropriate depends on the cancer type, cancer stage, biomarkers, previous treatment history, overall health condition and doctor assessment.
NCI describes immunotherapy as a cancer treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer, and it is also considered a type of biological therapy.
SCROLL
How Immunotherapy Works
Some cancer cells can “hide” from the immune system by using certain biological signals. Immunotherapy may help remove these blocks, allowing immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
Depending on the treatment type, immunotherapy may help to:
Strengthen the immune response
Block cancer cells from hiding
Help immune cells recognize cancer cells
Support the body’s natural defense system against cancer
The treatment plan should always be decided by an oncology specialist after reviewing the patient’s medical condition.
When May Immunotherapy Be Considered?
Immunotherapy may be considered for selected cancer patients when test results suggest that the cancer may respond to immune-based treatment.
Doctors may review factors such as:
Cancer type and stage
PD-L1 expression
MSI-H / dMMR status
Tumor mutation burden
Previous treatment history
Overall health condition
Autoimmune disease history
It may be used in selected cases of lung cancer, liver cancer, head and neck cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, certain colorectal cancers, certain breast cancers and lymphoma.
Immunotherapy vs Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy and chemotherapy are different treatment approaches.
Immunotherapy
· Helps the immune system fight cancer
· Usually depends on cancer biomarkers
· Response may take time
· Side effects are often immune-related
· Not suitable for every patient
Chemotherapy
· Directly attacks fast-growing cells
· Used for many cancer types
· Response may sometimes be faster
· Side effects are often linked to fast-growing normal cells
· Commonly used in many treatment plans
Immunotherapy is not always better than chemotherapy. Some patients may need chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, surgery or a combination of treatments.
Possible benefits and limitations
For selected patients, immunotherapy may offer benefits such as:
Helps the immune system recognize cancer cells
May provide longer-lasting response in some cases
Can be combined with other cancer treatments in selected cases
May be suitable for certain advanced or metastatic cancers
Can be guided by biomarker testing
However, immunotherapy can still cause side effects because it affects immune system activity.
Possible side effects may include:
Help Tiredness
Skin rash or itching
Diarrheaitching
Fever
Cough or shortness of breath
Appetite changes
Inflammation affecting organs such as lung, liver, bowel or thyroid
Patients should inform their doctor if they notice new symptoms during or after treatment.
Common questions about Cyberknife
Is immunotherapy suitable for all cancer patients?
No. Immunotherapy is only suitable for selected patients depending on cancer type, stage, biomarkers and overall health condition.
Is immunotherapy better than chemotherapy?
Not always. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy work differently. Some patients may benefit from immunotherapy, while others may be more suitable for chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, surgery or combination treatment.
Do I need biomarker testing before immunotherapy?
In many cases, yes. Biomarker testing such as PD-L1, MSI-H, dMMR or molecular profiling may help doctors decide whether immunotherapy is suitable.
How is immunotherapy given?
Many immunotherapy treatments are given through IV infusion. The exact schedule depends on the medicine and treatment plan.
What are the common side effects?
Common side effects may include tiredness, rash, itching, diarrhea, cough, fever and appetite changes. Some patients may have immune-related inflammation affecting organs.
Can immunotherapy be combined with other treatments?
Yes, in selected cases immunotherapy may be combined with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy or surgery, depending on the cancer type and doctor’s plan.