According to recent reports, the mortality rate for blood cancers has decreased considerably in the last four years. Among the many factors that contribute to this statistics are the new forms of immunotherapy that is made available to the patients. Several of these are now FDA-approved and part of standard-of-care. With each new development from the lab to the clinic, we come closer to changing the future of cancer patients for the better. Look into cancer treatment in Siliguri for the latest immunotherapy treatments.
Table of contents:
- Immunotherapy
- Difference between Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
- Types of Immunotherapy for Blood Cancer
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy which is also sometimes referred to as biotherapy is a form of therapy that uses the body’s immune system to help fight diseases such as blood cancer. It either works directly in tune with your body’s immune system to stop or slow down the growth of cancer cells or it indirectly prepares your immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells. These biological therapies include substances made by the body or in the lab.
Difference between Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a biological therapy method that works with your immune system in order to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. Immunotherapy boosts the immune response in the body and also teaches the immune system how to identify and destroy cancer cells.
Chemotherapy, in turn, is a treatment involving drugs that kill cancer cells directly. Chemotherapy attacks all rapidly-dividing cells within the body which effectively targets fast-growing tumors. Chemotherapy is generally used alone or in combination with surgery, radiation, or immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy works by boosting your immune system to combat cancer, whereas chemotherapy drugs directly target the cancerous cells.
Types of Immunotherapy for Blood Cancer
The different types of immunotherapy used for cancer treatment in Siliguri to treat blood cancer are:
Cytokines: These are signaling proteins which is made by white blood cells in order to regulate immune response and reduce the growth rate of cancer cells. Two of common cytokines are interferon and interleukin.
Gene therapy:This is an approach that involves inserting genetic material into cells to fight blood cancer via a viral vector. This is an experimental therapy which is still being researched.
Immunomodulators:These substances alter the way in which cells interact and signal each other to divide and grow. Pomalidomide and thalidomide are two common immunomodulators.
Monoclonal antibodies: These are lab-produced antibodies that are administered via an IV infusion are used to bind to cancer cells. This binding process the immune system to kill the cancer cells in the blood and bone marrow.
In some cases, your doctor may combine immunotherapy with steroids and chemo.
Siliguri Nursing Home is one of the best treatment facilities for cancer treatment in Siliguri. With a panel of the best oncologists on board the level of treatment provided is unparalled.
