Humans are fragile beings who are susceptible to various diseases. However, we are blessed with an immunity system to combat the effects of these diseases.
However, having a disease like cancer can lower your immunity level. This is why effective immunotherapy treatments are necessary for cancer patients.
To learn what these treatments are and how they affect cancer patients, read this post till the end.
What Are The Different Types Of Immunotherapy?
Sublingual Immunotherapy is a medical treatment provided by health care administration services that harness the body’s immune system to combat diseases. It is used in various contexts:
1. Cancer Immunotherapy
This type of immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Examples include checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and cancer vaccines.
2. Allergy Immunotherapy:
Also known as allergy shots or allergy desensitization, this exposes individuals to small, controlled amounts of allergens to reduce allergic reactions over time.
3. Autoimmune Disease Treatment
Immunotherapy can help modulate the immune system to reduce its attack on healthy tissues in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
4. Vaccines
Vaccination is a form of immunotherapy where a weakened or inactivated pathogen is introduced to the body, priming the immune system to recognize and fight the pathogen if encountered again.
5. Transplantation
Immunosuppressive drugs are used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs by suppressing the recipient’s immune response.
How Does Immunotherapy Work?
Immunotherapy works by modulating or enhancing the body’s immune system to treat various diseases, including cancer, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and more. The mechanisms can vary depending on the specific type of immunotherapy and the condition being treated.
Here are some key ways immunotherapy will help you in treating various types of cancer, like throat cancer and gastric sleeve surgery:
1. Cancer Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy for lung cancer and other forms of cancer can be done in various ways, which include processes like:
- Checkpoint Inhibitors: These drugs block certain proteins that prevent immune cells (T-cells) from recognizing and attacking cancer cells. By removing this “brake,” the immune system can better target and destroy cancer cells.
- CAR-T Cell Therapy: Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy involves genetically modifying a patient’s T-cells to express receptors that can specifically target cancer cells. These engineered T-cells are then infused back into the patient to attack the cancer.
- Cancer Vaccines: Therapeutic cancer vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and target cancer-specific antigens, training it to attack cancer cells.
- Monoclonal Antibodies: These antibodies can target specific proteins in cancer cells, marking them for destruction by the immune system.
2. Allergy Immunotherapy
Allergy shots gradually expose individuals to small amounts of allergens, desensitizing the immune system and reducing allergic reactions over time. This is one of the most common signs immunotherapy is working.
3. Autoimmune Disease Treatment
Immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases often involves immunosuppressive drugs that dampen the overactive immune response responsible for attacking healthy tissues.
4. Vaccination
Vaccines introduce harmless pieces of pathogens or inactivated pathogens to stimulate an immune response. The immune system “learns” to recognize and remember the pathogen, providing protection if the person encounters the real pathogen in the future.
5. Transplantation
Immunosuppressive drugs are used to suppress the recipient’s immune response, preventing rejection of the transplanted organ.
What Are The Benefits Of Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy offers several significant benefits, depending on the specific condition it’s used to treat. Here are some of the key advantages:
1. Cancer Treatment
The primary benefits of immunotherapy for cancer are:
- Targeted Treatment: Immunotherapy can specifically target cancer cells, sparing healthy tissues, leading to fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
- Long-Term Responses: Some cancer patients experience durable responses to immunotherapy, with cancer going into long-lasting remission.
- Potential for a Cure: In some cases, immunotherapy has resulted in complete remission and potential cures, particularly in cancers like melanoma and certain types of leukemia.
2. Allergy Management
This offers benefits like:
- Reduced Allergic Reactions: It can significantly reduce the severity of allergic reactions to allergens like pollen, pet dander, or insect stings.
- Long-Term Relief: Allergy shots can provide long-lasting relief, even after the treatment is completed.
3. Autoimmune Disease Control
In autoimmune disease treatment, benefits include:
- Symptom Management: Immunotherapy can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of autoimmune diseases.
- Reduced Relapses: It may reduce the frequency and severity of disease flares in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis.
4. Infectious Disease Prevention
Vaccination, a form of immunotherapy, has numerous benefits:
- Disease Prevention: Vaccines are highly effective at preventing various infectious diseases.
- Herd Immunity: Widespread vaccination can protect entire communities by reducing the spread of infectious agents.
5. Organ Transplantation
Immunosuppressive drugs in transplantation provide benefits like preventing rejection. This helps prevent the recipient’s immune system from attacking and rejecting a transplanted organ, increasing the likelihood of a successful transplant.
6. Minimized Side Effects
Immunotherapy often has fewer and less severe side effects compared to traditional treatments like chemotherapy, making it a preferred option for some patients.
Conclusion
The goal of immunotherapy varies depending on the condition, but it generally aims to enhance, suppress, or modulate the immune system’s response to achieve a therapeutic outcome.
In essence, it aims to either boost the immune system’s activity against a specific target (e.g., cancer cells) or suppress its activity when it’s causing harm (e.g., in autoimmune diseases or organ transplantation). The specific approach depends on the condition being treated and the desired immune response.
It’s important to note that the benefits of immunotherapy can vary depending on the individual, the specific condition, and the stage of the disease.
While this has shown remarkable success in many cases, it may not be suitable for all patients, and its effectiveness can vary from person to person. Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential to determine the best treatment approach for each patient.
Also Read