Biological Therapy For Cancer Treatment
Biological therapy, which is also known as the immunotherapy or biotherapy is a method which makes use of the body’s immune system to fight cancer. The immune system works towards protecting and defending the body against bacteria and viruses.
These Biological therapies can boost the immune system by making cancer cells more recognizable to the immune system of the body. It also helps to change the way cancer cells grow and stops the process which changes normal cells into cancerous cells.
The human immune system includes white blood cells which are capable of fighting against cancerous cells. Major types of white blood cells include lymphocytes, B cells, T cells, natural killer cells (NK cells), monocytes and dendritic cells. These cells are circulated to every part of the human body thereby providing protection diseases including cancer.
Human cells are known to secrete two types of substances – antibodies and cytokines which respond to (harmful) substances and act as messengers respectively.
Biological response modifiers (BRMs) change the way the body’s defenses interact with cancerous cells. They include nonspecific immunomodulating agents, interferons, interleukins, colony-stimulating factors, monoclonal antibodies, cytokine therapy, and vaccines. Nonspecific immunomodulating agents stimulate the immune system, resulting in production of more cytokines and antibodies that help to fight cancer.
Interferons (IFN) improve the patient’s immune response to cancer cells. They work directly on cancer cells and slow their growth. Sometimes these interferons are also known to stimulate NK cells, T cells, and macrophages.
Interleukins (IL) are responsible to stimulate the growth and activity of many immune cells. They occur naturally in the body and simulate the growth of lymphocytes which work towards destroying cancerous cells.
Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are proteins that are given to patients to encourage stem cells within the bone marrow to produce more blood cells. With proper cell production, other cancer treatments can continue enabling patients to safely receive higher doses of chemotherapy.
Vaccine therapy is currently in an experimental mode. This therapy is aimed at vaccinating people before the disease develops. Though this therapy is still under development, it may go on to become one of the most sought after methods for cancer treatment.
What are the side effects of biological therapies?
Side effect to a treatment ranges from nil to mild to being very severe. It is necessary to discuss all possible side effects of treatment before the treatment begins. Some of the side effects include fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and fatigue