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Cancer immunotherapy is a new type of cancer treatment. Some cancer experts think it may be the treatment of the future. If you have cancer, ask your doctor whether this type of treatment is an option for you. But, before you have that talk, get an overview of immunotherapy so you can have an informed conversation with your doctor.
1. Biologic therapy is another name for immunotherapy.
That’s because immunotherapy works through your immune system, which is your body’s natural defense system. It has some ability to find and attack cancer cells, but it needs help. That's where immunotherapy comes in. Immunotherapy can stimulate your immune system and make it stronger. Immunotherapy can also add some man-made proteins—called monoclonal antibodies—that your immune system can use to attack cancer cells.
2. It’s only available for certain types and stages of cancer.
As of now, immunotherapy is not for every cancer or stage of cancer. Ask your doctor if immunotherapy is a treatment option for your specific type of cancer.
Some of the immunotherapies now being used are:
- Checkpoint immunotherapy. This treats advanced melanoma and advanced lung cancer.
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Immune system modulators. These are man-made proteins the immune system can use to attack cancer cells. For example, interleukins are immune modulators that may help treat kidney cancer and melanoma.
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Immunotherapy vaccines. A vaccine is a way to stimulate the immune system. There is one cancer vaccine approved to treat advanced prostate cancer. In the future, vaccines may be able to treat many types of cancer.
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Therapeutic antibodies. This can treat some types of breast, colon and rectal cancers; white blood cell cancers; and head and neck cancers.
3. Monoclonal antibodies target specific cancer cells.
These are the most common type of cancer immunotherapy. They are man-made proteins that can find and attach to cancer cells. This helps your immune system target the cancer cells and attack them. Another term for monoclonal antibody therapy is targeted therapy because these antibodies recognize a very specific target on the cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies can also be loaded up with poisons—drugs that will kill the cancer cells. When the antibodies attach to cancer cells, the poison destroys the cancer cells.
4. Immunotherapy is often an intravenous treatment.
That means your doctor puts the treatment directly into your vein. Other immunotherapies come as pills or injections. You may get your treatment at a hospital, a clinic, your doctor’s office or at home. You may get this treatment along with other types of treatment, such as chemotherapy. You may need treatment every day, off and on, or every few weeks. It all depends on the type of treatment and the type of cancer.
5. There are side effects.
Side effects from immunotherapy may be milder than from older types of treatment. Side effects of monoclonal antibodies may include rashes and allergic reactions. You may have flu-like symptoms, including chills, headache, muscle aches, weakness, nausea, and tiredness. Side effects from other types of immunotherapy may include fluid retention, heart palpitations, nasal congestion, diarrhea, and an increased risk of infections. Discuss possible side effects with your doctor before you start treatment.
6. New immunotherapies hold promise, even for some advanced cancers.
Many new immunotherapies are being tested in clinical trials. These include cancer vaccines that may help treat brain, breast and lung cancer. Immune cell therapy is a treatment that may reverse very advanced blood cancers. Oncolytic virus therapy is a new immunotherapy that uses a virus to attack cancer cells. Some of these treatments are already available in clinical trials. Ask your doctor if you would qualify to take part in a trial.
