Immunotherapy info online

Pros and cons
1. Pros
  1. Immunotherapy enables the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells. This means theoretically it can target any type of cancer
  2. can “train” the immune system to remember cancer cells. so it is long lasting and the patient won't get the cancer again
  3. more targeted than conventional cancer treatments
  4. side effects such as vomiting and hair loss may be less likely with immunotherapy.
2. cons
  1. You might have a bad reaction.
  2. Some types of immunotherapy rev up your immune system so you could have side effects as if you are ill
  3. Some of these drugs can cause your immune system to attack organs
  4. It isn’t a quick fix
3. websites used
  1. cons
    1. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/immunotherapy-risks
    2. https://www.cancer.net
      Annotations:
      - https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/immunotherapy-and-vaccines/side-effects-immunotherapy
  2. Pros
    1. https://www.cancerresearch.org
      Annotations:
      - https://www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/why-immunotherapy
    2. https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com
      Annotations:
      - https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/home/tools/fact-sheets/immunotherapy-side-effects-risks-and-benefits/
How does it work?
1. Immunotherapy is treatment that uses certain parts of a person’s immune system to fight diseases such as cancer.
  1. Stimulating your own immune system to work harder or smarter to attack cancer cells
  2. Giving you immune system component, such as proteins
2. one type of immunotherapy stops the tumor from hiding form the immune system
3. Others help T cells to attack the cancer cells
4. Websites used
  1. https://www.cancer.gov
    Annotations:
    - https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy
  2. https://www.cancer.org
    Annotations:
    - https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/immunotherapy/what-is-immunotherapy.html
Different types pf immunotherapy
1. monoclonal antibodies (MAB)
  1. A MAB works by recognising and finding specific proteins on cells. Some work on cancer cells, others target proteins on cells of the immune system.
  2. Some MABs attach themselves to cancer cells, making it easier for the cells of the immune system to find them.
  3. Other MABs work by acting on cells of the immune system. For example, immunotherapies called checkpoint inhibitors block proteins that stop the immune system attacking cancer cells.
  4. Side affects
    1. Allergic reaction during treatment
    2. skin changes such as red and sore skin or an itchy rash
    3. diarrhoea, tiredness, flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, dizziness
2. Websites used
3. Cytokines
  1. Cytokines are a group of proteins in the body that play an important part in boosting the immune system.
  2. There a two main types interferon and aldesleukin
    1. interferon as an injection just under the skin
    2. Most people have interferon 3 times a week. Or you might have it as a daily injection.
    3. Aldesleukin is most often used to treat kidney cancer. It is also in clinical trials for some other types of cancer.
4. Adoptive cell transfer
  1. This type of immunotherapy is still quite new. So still be tested
  2. For CAR T-cell therapy, the machine takes out your T cells.
  3. In the lab, they change the T cells. This is now a CAR T cell
  4. The aim is for the CAR T-cells to then recognise and attack the cancer cells.
  5. This is still in the trial phase at the moment. But it has been tested for leukaemia

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Immunotherapy info online

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	Created by Annabel White almost 6 years ago