Added: 02/16/2006 |
Immunotherapy Description - How it Works and Who benefits the MostThe immunotherapy description studies the immune system which can help fight cancer because people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get cancer. But many people with normal immune systems still develop cancer. This is because the immune system my not recognize cancer cells as foreign (if the cancer cells' antigens are not different enough from those of normal cells to cause an immune reaction).
Or the immune system may recognize cancer cells, but the response may not be strong enough to destroy the cancer. Cancer cells themselves may also give off substances that keep the immune system from doing its job.
Compared to other forms of cancer treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, immunotherapy is still relatively new. Doctors suspected for a long time that the immune system had an effect on certain cancers, but it is only within the last few decides that immunotherapy description has proven useful as a form of treatment.
There are different types of immunotherapy. Active immunotherapies stimulate the body's own immune system to fight the disease. Passive immunotherapy's do not rely on the body to attack the disease; instead, they use immune system components (such as antibodies) created outside of the body.
The immunotherapy description cannot manage without the immune system. It is often divided into two sections: innate immunity and adaptive (acquired) immunity. Innate immunity refers to nonspecific defense mechanisms that come into play immediately or within hours of an antigen's appearance in the body.
These mechanisms include physical barriers such as skin, chemicals in the blood, and immune system cells that attack foreign cells in the body. The innate immune response is activated by chemical properties of the antigen. Adaptive immune response is actually reaction of the immune system to structures on the surface of the invading organism called antigens.
There are two types of adaptive immune responses: humoral and cell mediated. During humoral immune responses, proteins called antibodies, which can stick to and destroy antigens, appear in the blood and other body fluids. Humoral immune responses resist invaders that act outside of cells, such as bacteria and toxins (poisonous substances produced by living organisms).
Humoral immune responses can also prevent viruses from entering cells. During cell-mediated immune responses, cells that can destroy other cells become active. Their destructive activity is limited to cells that are either infected with, or producing, a specific antigen.
Cell-mediated immune responses resist invaders that reproduce within the body cells, such as viruses. Cell-mediated responses may also destroy cells making mutated (changed) forms of normal molecules, as in some cancers.
Like other forms of cancer treatment, it can cause a number of side effects.
Immunotherapy side effects can vary widely from patient to patient. Biologic response modifiers may cause flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, nausea, and appetite loss. Rashes or swelling may develop ?t the site where they are injected.
Blood pressure may also be affected, usually decreasing it. Fatigue is another common side effect of biologic response modifiers. Side effects of colony stimulating factors may include bone pain, fatigue, fever, and appetite loss.
This article is only a brief overview. If you want to get more detailed immunotherapy description turn to oncology clinic.com
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!
