What is immunotherapy?
This is a relatively recent type of treatment, whose principle of action is based on the use of our immune system to fight the tumor. It consists of the use of substances that stimulate the body's own defence mechanisms (immune system) to fight cancer.
How does immunotherapy treatment work?
Immunotherapy "reactivates" or "unblocks" our immune system allowing it to recognise malignant cells again and eliminate them.
Our immune system does this continuously, as this is one of its main functions. However, there are tumours that have the ability to adapt and "hide" from the immune system, limiting the ability to recognise these cells as malignant.
There are also other mechanisms used by tumours to "evade" elimination by the immune system. They go through the "deactivation" or "blocking" of the cells that recognize the tumor cells, leading to the tumors growing and not being identified and destroyed.
Are the results of this therapy immediate?
No. The time to get results can be relatively long.
What are the side effects of immunotherapy?
The side effects of immunotherapy are very different from those known for chemotherapy and hormone therapy. The most frequent are:
- skin changes – such as itching or rashes
- inflammation of the intestine (colitis)
- inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis)
- inflammatory diseases of the pituitary gland (pituititis)
- inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis)
- among others
Some, such as hypophysitis and thyroiditis, may persist for a relatively long period or may even be irreversible (which cannot be reversed).
Are biological therapeutics and immunotherapy the same thing?
yes. Immunotherapy is also known as biological therapy.
Much scientific research has been carried out in this area, bringing great hopes for the future of the fight against cancer, such as the development of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Side effects usually related to these treatments include flu-like symptoms (fever, nausea, cold, muscle aches, etc.).
Source: Portuguese Society of Oncology