Immunotherapy

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is an innovative cancer treatment that uses substances from living organisms to support your immune system function. The immune system, which protects you from harmful microorganisms like viruses and bacteria, consists of lymph system organs, tissues, and white blood cells.

One of your immune system’s roles is to identify cancers using cells called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). If tests show you have TILs in a cancerous growth and the surrounding tissues, it means your immune system is mounting a defense against the cancer cells.

Patients with active TILs usually experience better outcomes from their cancer treatment. However, the immune system faces a challenge because cancer cells have a built-in defense — they use genetic camouflage to hide their presence.

Cancer cells might produce proteins that deactivate immune cells or interfere with the immune system response. Immunotherapy gives your immune system the support it needs to overcome cancer’s defenses and make it more effective.

What kinds of immunotherapy are available?

The primary forms of immunotherapy include:

T-cell transfer therapy

T-cell transfer therapy involves injecting active anti-cancer cells into your body. A lab uses immune cells extracted from your tumor to develop specialized anti-cancer cells, altering them if necessary to make them more effective.

Monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are synthetic proteins that bind to the cancer cells in your tumor. These antibodies mark the cells so your immune system can identify cancer and destroy it more easily. 

Immune checkpoint inhibitors

Immune checkpoints stop your immune system from responding too vigorously when it acts against harmful invaders. However, if you have cancer, you need a vigorous immune system response. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block the checkpoints, enabling your immune system to attack cancer more aggressively.

What does having immunotherapy involve?

Advanced Cancer Care of New Jersey, PC, provides immunotherapy in various forms. Dr. Shah might prescribe a pill or capsule for you to swallow or a cream to rub into your skin. Intravenous (IV) immunotherapy delivers the medication directly into your bloodstream through a vein in your arm. Intravesical immunotherapy medicines go into your bladder.

The form of immunotherapy and the delivery method Dr. Shah recommends depends on your diagnosis. Immunotherapy typically forms one part of a comprehensive cancer treatment plan that includes other therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy.

To find out more about immunotherapy and benefit from this cutting-edge cancer treatment, call Advanced Cancer Care of New Jersey, PC, today or book an appointment online.