Immunotherapy is an anti-cancer approach that complements traditional ways of fighting cancer such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Over 120 years ago, Dr William B. Coley - considered the father of cancer immunotherapy - injected a mixture of dead bacteria into patients with cancer after observing that some cancers regressed in the presence of streptococcal infections. Since then we have learned a lot that allows us to manipulate the immune system with more specificity to a variety of antigens, including cancer antigens (proteins sitting in the surface of cancer cells), activating or inactivating mechanisms that allow the immune system to recognise cancer cells as wrong cells, developing antibodies that slow down pathways that are overactive and creating vaccines that induce the formation of a robust army against cancer cells. The main types of immunotherapy can be divided into non-specific immunotherapies, antigen specific antibodies and cancer vaccines. Non-specific Immunotherapy Antigen therapy, such as BCG therapy, uses a weakened strain of mycobacteria originally designed to produce immunity against tuberculosis, which also produces an immune response when injected into early bladder cancers. Cytokines such as interferon alpha IFN, tumour necrosis factor TNF and interleukins IL 4 and 6 have a direct anti-tumour effect as well as an indirect effect, enhancing the immune response. Used to treat kidney cancers and melanomas. Cell therapy, such as dendritic cell therapy, cultivates and multiplies cells that recognise cancer cells, and are then infused back into the patient. Dr William B. Coley - considered the father of cancer immunotherapy - injected a mixture of dead bacteria into patients with cancer Transfer of T-cells (the killer cells of the immune system) isolated from a patient with cancer then cultivated to large numbers and reinfused back to the patient. Cancer occurs when an altered DNA sequence (mutation) remains occult or disguises itself to allow that cell to survive. Immunotherapy is an anti-cancer approach that complements traditional ways of fighting cancer such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Nine
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