Immunotherapy for cancer: mechanisms and successes

Immunotherapy for cancer: mechanisms and successes

Immunotherapy for cancer: mechanisms and successes

Immunotherapy has received considerable attention in recent years for its impressive results in the treatment of cancer. It uses the body's own immune system to recognize and fight tumor cells. This article explains the different mechanisms of immunotherapy and their successes in more detail.

Introduction to immunotherapy

Cancer is a complex disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy aim to destroy the rapidly growing cancer cells. However, these treatments can also damage healthy cells and often have significant side effects.

In contrast, immunotherapy is based on the principle that the body's own defense system - the immune system - can recognize and eliminate tumor cells.

Mechanisms of immunotherapy in cancer

There are different approaches for the application of immunological strategies in cancer therapy:

1. Checkpoint inhibitors

Checkpoint inhibitors are specific antibodies that block certain proteins normally used by the body to protect the body's immune system from excessive activity. Overactivation of the immune system could cause autoimmune diseases.
Two common target proteins for checkpoint inhibitors are CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Associated Protein 4) and PD-1 (Programmed Death 1) or its ligand PD-L1. By blocking these proteins, checkpoint inhibitors can enhance the immune response against cancer cells.

2. Adoptive cell therapy

Adoptive cell therapy is a procedure in which immune cells are removed from the patient's body, grown in the laboratory and then reintroduced into the body.
One form of adoptive cell therapy is so-called CAR-T cell therapy (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy). Here, the patient is administered modified T cells that have been equipped with a receptor that specifically targets cancer cells. These CAR T cells specifically recognize and eliminate the tumorous tissue.

3. Therapeutic vaccination

During therapeutic vaccination, the patient's immune system is stimulated to develop a targeted immune response against its own tumor cells.
There are different approaches to therapeutic vaccination. One approach is to identify antigens that are specifically expressed on cancer cells and mark them as targets for the body's defense system.
Another method uses dendritic cells – important components of the immune system – to trigger an adapted immunogenic response against the cancer.

Successes of immunotherapy in various types of cancer

Immunotherapy has made significant advances for various types of cancer. Some examples of immunotherapeutic successes in specific tumor types are listed below:

1. Melanoma

Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, is one of the first cancers to successfully use immunotherapy treatments. The use of checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab and ipilimumab has resulted in significant improvement in survival of patients with advanced melanoma.

2. Renal cell carcinoma

Checkpoint inhibitors have proven to be extremely effective in patients with metastatic or recurrent renal cell carcinoma.
Antibodies against PD-1 and PD-L1, such as pembrolizumab and atezolizumab, were superior to conventional chemotherapy treatments in clinical trials.

3. Lung cancer

Immunotherapy has also had great success in treating certain types of lung cancer.
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have improved overall survival compared to chemotherapy with the use of checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab.

FAQs about immunotherapy for cancer

Ask:What side effects can be caused by immunotherapy?
Answer:Immunotherapies can cause autoimmune reactions that can affect various organs. Possible side effects include skin rashes, intestinal inflammation, and thyroid or liver problems.

Ask:What are the cure rates for immunotherapy?
Answer:Cure rates vary depending on the type of cancer and stage of the disease. In some patients, immunotherapy can lead to a permanent remission, while in others it only achieves temporary control of the tumor.

Ask:Is immunotherapy suitable for every cancer patient?
Answer:The use of immunotherapy depends on various factors, including the type of tumor and the patient's condition. Not all cancers respond equally well to immunotherapy treatments.

Summary

Immunotherapy has the potential to fundamentally change the way cancer is treated. Through targeted stimulation of the body's own defense system, tumor cells are recognized and combated. Mechanisms such as checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy and therapeutic vaccinations enable success in the treatment of various types of cancer such as melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and lung cancer. Side effects are possible, but are often less pronounced compared to conventional therapy methods.
Questions about safety and effectiveness should be discussed individually with a specialist.