Download What is Immunotherapy?

IMMUNOTHERAPY: CANCER TREATMENT
By Sarah Zitin
Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body's immune system to combat
cancer. It consists of stimulating the immune system to do what it does
effectively. This kind of therapy is still in clinical trials, although it’s widely utilized
globally.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The immune system is a network of cells and organs that work together to defend
the body against foreign substances (antigens, pathogens) such as bacteria,
viruses, and cancer cells. When the body discovers an antigen, several kinds of
cells go into an “immune response.”
Below is a description of some of the cells that are part of the immune system:

Macrophages — Macrophages are the body's first line of defense and have many
roles. They are the first cells to recognize and capture foreign substances. They
break down these substances and present the smaller proteins to the T
lymphocytes. (T cells are programmed to recognize antigens and pathogens).
Macrophages also produce substances called cytokines, which help regulate the
activity of lymphocytes.

Lymphocytes — Lymphocytes are one of the main types of immune cells. They are
divided into B and T cells. B lymphocytes produce antibodies such as proteins
(gamma globulins) which recognize antigens and attach themselves to these
substances. Each B cell is programmed to make one specific antibody. When a B
cell comes across its antigen, it creates large cells known as plasma cells. Each
plasma cell is essentially a factory for producing an antibody. An antibody
matches an antigen to essentially help facilitate the death of the pathogenic cell,
which is called apoptosis. Whenever the antibody and antigen connect, the
antibody marks the antigen for destruction. B cells are powerless to penetrate the
cell, so the task of attacking these target cells is left to T lymphocytes.

T lymphocytes are cells that are programmed to recognize, respond to, and
remember antigens. T cells contribute to the immune defenses in two major
ways. Some direct and regulate immune responses. When stimulated by the
pathogen presented by the macrophages, the T cells make lymphokines that
signal other cells. Other T cells are able to destroy targeted cells directly.

Dendritic cells — Dendritic cells are known as the most efficient antigenpresenting cell type, with the ability to interact with T cells and initiate an
immune response. Dendritic cells are receiving increasing scientific and clinical
interest because of their role in the immune response and potential use with
tumor vaccines. There are currently treatments in Germany which use dendritic
cell therapy to treat cancer.

Granulocytes — There are three types of white blood cells known as granulocytes,
which are part of the immune system. Neutrophils are the most common white
blood cells in the body. When an infection is present in the body, it increases their
numbers. They are the major components of abscesses and are found around
common inflammations. Their task is to eat and destroy pathogens. Basophils
and eosinophils interact with certain foreign materials.
All of the immune cells work together, and need to communicate with each other.
They secrete a large number of special protein molecules called cytokines, which
act on other cells. There are many different cytokines. Examples of these are
interleukins, interferons, tumor necrosis factors, and colony-stimulating factors.
Some immunotherapy treatments involve giving larger amounts of these proteins
by an injection or infusion. This is done to stimulate the cells of the body’s
immune system to act more effectively.
KINDS OF IMMUNOTHERAPY:
The following are kinds of immunotherapies that are commonly used in
traditional and scientific medical practice.
Biological response modifiers — Biological response modifiers are substances
that have no direct anti-tumor effect, but are able to trigger the immune system
to indirectly affect tumors. These include cytokines such as interferons and
interleukins.
Colony-stimulating factors — Blood cells are produced in the body's bone
marrow. There are three major types of blood cells: white blood cells, which fight
infection; red blood cells, which carry oxygen to and remove waste products from
organs and tissues; and platelets, which enable the blood to clot. Colonystimulating factors are substances that stimulate the production of blood cells.
These substances do not directly affect tumors, but through their role in
stimulating blood cells, they can be helpful in supporting the immune system
during cancer treatment.
Tumor vaccines — Researchers are consistently developing vaccines that may
encourage the immune system to recognize cancer cells. These are designed to
function in a similar way as vaccines for measles, mumps, and smallpox. The
difference in cancer treatment is that vaccines are used after someone has
cancer. The vaccines would be given to prevent cancer from returning, or to
enable the body to reject tumors. The use of tumor vaccines continues to be
studied in clinical trials. However, there is currently a great deal of controversy
over the use of vaccines, which have toxic chemical components. There are valid,
well-researched and contentious arguments on both sides.
Monoclonal antibodies — Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced
substances that can locate and bind to certain proteins. They do this by reacting
against tumor-associated proteins on the surface of certain cells. These antibodies
can be used to detect tumors, or as therapy to deliver drugs, toxins, or radioactive
material directly to a tumor. Monoclonal antibodies can be given to target
particular molecules on the cell surface. Examples of these antibodies are
Rituximab to target lymphoma cells and Herceptin to target cells, including breast
cancer cells.
SIDE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT
Like other forms of cancer treatment, immunotherapies can cause a number of
side effects. These include flu-like symptoms, fever, extreme fatigue, chills,
memory loss, neuropathy, nausea, bone pain and loss of appetite. Rashes or
swelling may develop at the site where the modifiers are injected.
*There is an entire alternative argument to be made against all of these toxic
chemicals, and choosing a completely holistic route instead. At this point, it’s a
matter of personal choice, doctors’ orders, and self-advocating. It’s an excellent
idea to do some research on your own, get information from both Western and
Eastern doctors and practitioners, and decide what feels right for yourself.