Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is an innovative cancer treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to recognize and fight cancer. As a form of biological therapy, it restores the immune system’s ability to identify and destroy cancer cells. While immunotherapy may not be suitable for every type of cancer, it has proven effective for many patients and continues to expand as research advances. This therapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy as part of a personalized treatment plan.
At Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, our medical oncologists carefully consider factors such as your cancer type, tumor biomarker status, and overall health to determine whether immunotherapy is an appropriate option.
Learn more about immunotherapy for cancer treatment, how it works, and what to expect to help prepare you for treatment.
How Immunotherapy Works
The immune system is designed to identify and destroy abnormal cells. However, cancer cells can sometimes evade detection, allowing them to grow and multiply.
Immunotherapy addresses this challenge by enhancing the immune system's response. These medications can work in several ways:
- Helping the immune cells recognize and kill cancer cells
- Stimulating the immune system to work more effectively
- Providing man-made immune proteins that help the immune system target cancer
- Stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells
- Preventing cancer from spreading to other areas of the body
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer care by targeting both cancer cells and immune cells, leading to improved patient outcomes and offering promising options for the future.
Types of Immunotherapy
Several different types of immunotherapy are used to treat cancer. Some treatments broadly boost the immune system, while others specifically train it to attack cancer cells:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors: These block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer.
- Monoclonal antibodies: Laboratory-created proteins that attach to specific targets on cancer cells to destroy them.
- Cancer treatment vaccines: Composed of cancer cells, partial cancer cells, or antigens designed to train the immune system.
- Immune system modulators: Interfere with the processes cancer cells use to make more cancer cells
- Bispecific antibody therapy: links T cells, or immune cells, to cancer cells to deliver treatment and destroy the cancer cells.
Not every immunotherapy is appropriate for every type of cancer. The HOA medical oncologists will determine the most suitable treatment for you.
Possible Side Effects of Immunotherapy
Although immunotherapy generally has fewer and milder side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy, side effects can still occur. Their severity can vary based on your health before treatment, how advanced the cancer is, and the type and dosage of the therapy administered.
Common side effects may include:
- Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, aches, weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, and headache
- Bacterial, viral, or yeast infection
- Thyroid issues
- Lung inflammation (pneumonitis)
- Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- Swelling and weight gain due to fluid retention
- Heart palpitations
- Skin rashes
Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an inflammatory side effect associated more often with CAR-T or bispecific therapy. When the immune system is activated, proteins called cytokines are released into the blood, which can cause inflammation in the body, including in organs and tissues. Patients may experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, low blood pressure, a rapid heart rate, rash, and respiratory changes. Be sure to tell your oncologist if you experience these side effects. Treatment is usually needed to reduce the inflammation before damage is done to your kidneys or liver.
Additionally, some individuals may experience immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), a temporary condition impacting the brain and nervous system. ICANS symptoms can involve confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory issues, slowed reactions, personality shifts, fatigue, numbness in the hands or feet, trouble speaking, and, in severe instances, a loss of consciousness.
It is essential to notify your HOA care team of any new or worsening side effects so they can help you manage them.
Why Choose HOA to Receive Cancer Treatment
Immunotherapy is a highly specialized treatment that requires thorough evaluation before therapy begins and close monitoring during treatment. At Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, our experienced team uses the latest diagnostic testing to determine if immunotherapy is the appropriate option for each patient. When suitable, patients may also access innovative immunotherapies available through our clinical trials.
We accept many types of insurance and care for patients throughout Central New York, specifically in the Syracuse area, including Camillus and all of Onondaga County; Auburn and the rest of Cayuga County; Madison County, including Oneida; Jefferson County, including Watertown; and throughout Oswego County, including Fulton and Oswego.
