Immunotherapy of Cancer.
The Cancer Immunity Cycle
What is Immunotherapy?
What is immunotherapy?
It is a type of treatment that helps the body's immune system to fight with cancer. The therapy is generally useful for the immune system to do its work properly. It is also responsible for fighting against many cancers.
How the immune system does its job?
The immune system is a network of organs that work together to protect the body against foreign particles such as bacteria, viruses, microbes & cancer cells.
Immune response
These are the reactions that are present in organisms for the stimulus of protection against pathogens & invaders. Some cells are described below which actively play a role in the immune system.
Lymphocytes
These are the immune cells that participate in the immune system. It has two types of cells.
B Lymphocytes
These cells produce antibodies & originate in the bone marrow. Each B cells processed to form one specific antibody. When they come in action, give rise to many large cells which are known as plasma cells. Plasma cells produce antibodies. When antibodies & antigens are interlocked, B cells are powerless to enter the cell.
T Lymphocytes
These are the cells which are respond to antigens. These cells function in two ways. When boosted by the antigenic substances introduced by the macrophages, the T cells prepare lymphokines that play a role to signal other cells. Other T cells are proficient to kill targeted cells directly.
Granulocytes
There are three types of granulocytes which play important t role in immune system. Eosinophil & Basophils are associated with specific foreign particles which cause allergic reactions. Neutrophils; these are most important white blood cells. Due to infection, their numbers increases immediately. They are associated with pus & inflammation. It is responsible for destroying foreign antigens.
Dendrites cells
These cells are also called antigen presenting cells. They have ability to interact with T cells & starts an immune response. All these immune cells work together so that they communicate with each other. They secrete protein in large amount known as cytokines.
Several immunotherapy procedure including providing larger quantities of these proteins by an injection or infusion. This is accomplished in the prospect of boosting the cells of the immune system to work more appropriately or to prepare the tumor cells more recognizable to the immune system.
Which types of cancers can be cured with it?
Immunotherapy can cure many types of cancer. These are as follows
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Lung cancer
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Bladder cancer
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Melanoma
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Kidney cancer
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Neck cancer
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Head cancer
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Stomach cancer
Threats to Immunotherapy
The use of drugs for treatment may attack on many organs. The side effects comprises of Cough, Fatigue, Nausea, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, Vomiting, kidney & liver damage.
Do you notice we are attaining a new era of cancer care?
Immunotherapy has changed the geography for cancer in recent years but know I would evaluate it more revolutionary. It has not proved to be universal cure. There are many patients with cancer who re not treated with such therapies & drugs.
Suggestion
Immunotherapy is generally considered as comprising a new era in cancer care, but it is surely not the final division.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2020 Samra Shafqat