Immunotherapy represents a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment that leverages the body’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which directly attack cancer cells, immunotherapy works by enhancing or restoring the immune system’s natural ability to recognize and fight cancer. There are several types of immunotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made molecules that bind to specific proteins on cancer cells, marking them for destruction. Checkpoint inhibitors block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer cells. Cancer vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, while adoptive cell therapy involves modifying a patient’s own immune cells to better target cancer. Immunotherapy can lead to durable responses and, in some cases, long-term remission. However, it may also cause immune-related side effects, and not all patients respond to immunotherapy, making it crucial for treatment plans to be personalized based on individual patient profiles and cancer types.
Dr. Hamidreza Hashemifard is a distinguished radiation oncologist based in Tehran, known for his extensive expertise and contributions to the field of oncology. […]
