Immunotherapy has become a breakthrough approach in cancer care, offering new hope for patients by utilizing the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Unlike traditional chemotherapy or radiotherapy, immunotherapy focuses on enhancing the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This article will explore the basic principles of immunotherapy, various treatment methods, and its application in cancer management, as well as how testing can help assess the status of the immune system for more accurate treatment decisions.

 Basic Principles of Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that effectively targets cancer cells by stimulating or modulating the immune system. Its main goal is to enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize and eliminate malignant cells while minimizing damage to normal tissues. Immunotherapy has shown potential for long-lasting responses and preventing cancer recurrence.
Cancer cells often evade the immune system’s surveillance by suppressing or “hiding” their abnormal characteristics. Immunotherapy works by removing these suppressions, allowing the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. Treatment methods include immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and T-cell therapies.

 Types of Immunotherapy

(1) Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
As one of the most advanced forms of immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors block proteins that suppress the immune system, enabling it to more effectively attack cancer cells. These inhibitors, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors like nivolumab (Opdivo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda), have shown significant efficacy in various cancers.

(2) Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy (CAR-T)
CAR-T is an innovative therapy where the patient’s T cells are genetically modified to more precisely recognize and destroy cancer cells, showing remarkable efficacy in certain blood cancers. This therapy has been successfully used to treat specific types of leukemia and lymphoma.

(3) Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines activate the immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells. For example, the HPV vaccine has proven effective in preventing virus infections linked to certain cancers, such as cervical cancer. In the future, more vaccines specifically targeting particular cancers may emerge as effective tools for cancer prevention and treatment.

(4) Immunocytokine Therapy
This therapy uses cytokines such as interferons and interleukins to enhance the immune response, increasing the activity of immune cells and strengthening their attack on cancer cells. These cytokines have played important roles in various clinical settings.

 Applications and Future of Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has been widely used in various cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As technology continues to advance, its indications are expected to expand, bringing benefits to more patients.
With the progress of personalized medicine, the application of immunotherapy will become more precise. Genomic data, immune responses, and cancer characteristics will help design more customized treatment plans. Additionally, the combination of immunotherapy with traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy is becoming a research hotspot, as such combinations may improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects.

 How to Assess Immune System Status

For cancer patients, understanding the current status of their immune system is crucial for selecting the most suitable immunotherapy. Professional immune tests, such as RGCC’s Immune-Frame test, can help patients understand their immune system’s function, leading to more accurate treatment decisions.
The Immune-Frame test provides a detailed analysis of the immune system, assessing immune cell activity, the strength of immune responses, and the potential reaction to treatment. This information can assist healthcare professionals in developing more effective treatment plans, improving patient outcomes.

 Precautions

• Immunotherapy does not have the same effect on all patients, as its efficacy varies depending on factors such as the immune system’s condition, cancer type, and stage.
• During immunotherapy, some patients may experience immune-related side effects, such as immune-related pneumonia or colitis, requiring regular monitoring and management.
• Immunotherapy is often combined with other treatment methods. Patients should choose the most suitable treatment plan based on their doctor’s recommendations.

Conclusion

Immunotherapy represents a major advancement in cancer treatment, offering patients more options and hope. As immunology and cancer treatments continue to evolve, future immunotherapies will provide more personalized and precise treatment plans, further improving the survival rate and quality of life for cancer patients. By understanding the status of the immune system, patients can more targetedly choose the most suitable treatment plan for better outcomes.

References

1. Chen, D. S., & Mellman, I. (2013). “Oncolytic virotherapy: immunotherapy for the new millennium.” Nature Reviews Cancer, 13(8), 484-495.
2. Pardoll, D. M. (2012). “The blockade of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy.” Nature Reviews Cancer, 12(4), 252-264.
3. June, C. H., O’Connor, R. S., & Kawalekar, O. U. (2018). “CAR T cell therapy: the first year in review.” Journal of Immunology, 200(8), 2301-2309.
4. Hodi, F. S., & O’Day, S. J. (2010). “Improved survival with ipilimumab in patients with metastatic melanoma.” New England Journal of Medicine, 363(8), 711-723.
5. Rojas, L. A., & Espinosa, E. (2018). “Immunotherapy and cancer vaccines: a new era for cancer treatment.” Oncology Reports, 39(6), 2335-2345.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for educational and reference purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or recommendations. If you have any concerns about your health or medical issues, please consult your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional. This article does not intend to recommend any specific tests, treatments, or medications, nor should it be considered as such. If you experience symptoms or need medical assistance, please contact a healthcare professional promptly.