Immunotherapy - ACIBADEM
Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy for cancer treatment helps immune cells better recognize and more easily destroy cancer cells.

What is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy was developed to treat cancer by using the immune system.  In ımmunotherapy, instead of targeting the cancer itself directly like radiotherapy and chemotherapy, it enables a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer.

What is immunotherapy for cancer?

It is the process of involving the body’s immune system to destroy cancer cells in the treatment course.  While the immune system has the ability to eliminate foreign pathogens and cancer cells to some extent, cancer cells can evade immune detection due to their complex structures. It aims at enhancing the immune response by immunotherapy medicines, enabling the immune system to distinguish, target, and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

Types

Cancer immunotherapy is not a single treatment approach; it includes various types of therapies. Some stimulate the body’s own cancer-fighting T cells directly, while others involve administering these cancer-fighting cells to the patient. The main types of immunotherapy include;

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Adoptive Cell Therapies
  • Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Oncolytic Virus Therapy
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Immune System Modulators

How Does Cancer Immunotherapy Work?

It uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. The main role of the immune system is responsible for protecting the body against diseases. However, it can sometimes struggle to recognize and counteract cancer which is a complex disease that can evade the immune system. Today, it is possible to empower the immune system to find and get rid of cancerous cells with immunotherapy.

Which Cancers are treated with Immunotherapy?

There are several types of immunotherapies, and each helps the immune system in a different way to target cancer cells. The application and effectiveness of these methods depend on the type of cancer, its stage, and the general health condition of the patient. It has proven effective in treating several types of cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancers, and lymphoma.

Procedure Detail of Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy medicines are generally given to patients through an intravenous infusion. It can be considered as an initial treatment for many types of metastatic cancer. It can be used either as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with the other available cancer treatment. Following or before the surgical procedure, immunotherapy can be considered to apply. It might have enhanced treatment effectiveness by 20-30 percent when combined with other treatment modalities.

Benefits of Immunotherapy Treatment?

Over the last decade, cancer immunotherapy has transformed the lives of many people. Today, it is considered one of the main modalities in cancer treatment. It is especially beneficial for cancers resistant to chemotherapy, such as kidney tumors and melanoma. In some types of lung cancer, it may offer better outcomes than conventional chemotherapy. Additionally, for some common types of breast cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer, it may be considered one of the most significant treatment options before and/or after surgery. Furthermore, for many cancer types, tests are conducted to evaluate whether immunotherapy might be effective. If these tests predict positive results, it can be applied to more than 30 different types of cancer, including those resistant to chemotherapy.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

For patients diagnosed with cancer, it may be advisable to ask their physicians whether it is a suitable option for their condition and to visit a hospital that offers immunotherapy for cancer treatment and has oncologists who are knowledgeable about advances in immunotherapy for cancer treatment. When patients visit an oncologist who can apply all systemic treatments, they receive detailed information. They can find out which procedure is best suited for their individual needs. At Acıbadem, surgical treatment, radiotherapy, and systemic therapies can be offered to patients from around the world under one roof.

Immunotherapy for Cancer in Turkey

There are 3 main treatment strategies for cancer treatment: surgery, radiotherapy and systemic therapies. Systemic therapies include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormone therapy. At Acıbadem, all these treatment modalities are employed in the treatment of cancer. There are used both in the early and later stages of the disease. Moreover, combinations of several treatment options, which may ensure the destruction of all cancerous cells.

Acıbadem, a prestigious hospital group in Türkiye renowned for cancer treatment, is one of the few centers worldwide offering immunotherapy to cancer patients. Based on each patient’s unique cancer type, the most optimal immunotherapy medications are selected, and personalized treatments are applied, tailored to their specific needs. These treatments are planned, carried out, and supervised by a comprehensive oncology team.

Why Acıbadem for Treatment?

At Acıbadem in Türkiye, patients have access to the full range of advanced treatment options. Surgery, systemic therapy, and radiotherapy all these modalities are employed in the treatment of cancer. At Acıbadem, for over 10 years, we have utilized immunotherapy for cancer patients from around the world, achieving inspiring and encouraging outcomes thanks to the unparalleled expertise of our oncologists.

We believe immunotherapy is one of the most promising ways to treat many cancer types. Undoubtedly, cancer immunotherapy is one of the most propitious solutions to enhancing the quality of life and boosting the overall survival rate of patients.

FAQ

1.     Is Immunotherapy Stronger than Chemotherapy?

The selection of treatment options is tailored to each patient’s own situation, to achieve the best possible outcome in the fight against cancer. The effectiveness of both treatment modalities varies based on the type, stage, and specific characteristics of the cancer.

2.     How Successful is Immunotherapy?

Currently, it is a highly successful treatment option for certain types of cancer, including skin, lung, kidney, and bladder cancers. Over the last 10 years, it has been one of the most promising treatment options in the fight against cancer. Its potential outcomes are being studied in nearly every type of cancer.

3.     What Happens after Immunotherapy Ends?

It may be applied as either an initial or final step in cancer treatment. When given before surgery, it is referred to as neoadjuvant immunotherapy. If everything is favorable after completing immunotherapy, surgery is performed. On the other hand, it can also be applied as a final step, known as adjuvant immunotherapy. After it is completed, follow-up begins, during which their response to treatment is closely monitored and assessed.

4.     How Many Sessions of Immunotherapy are needed?

The frequency and duration of immunotherapy depend on the type and stage of the tumor, the type and form of the therapy, and the treatment strategy tailored to the patient’s specific condition. Generally, immunotherapy sessions are administered every 2 to 6 weeks, and the treatment can last anywhere from one month to two years.

5.     Can Immunotherapy cure stage 4 Cancer?

Stage 4 is the final phase of cancer and can be fatal for many patients. However, with immunotherapy, some cancer types can be controlled for years. For instance, the five-year survival rate for patients with advanced melanoma has increased to about 50 percent, thanks to specific immunotherapy medications.

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