The body's immune system naturally defends against foreign invaders like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and abnormal cells, including cancer cells. Yet, cancer cells possess a cunning ability to evade this defense by emitting deceptive signals that halt immune cell attacks. A weakened immune system makes it easier for cancer cells to escape detection and proliferate.

Doctor of First Degree Specialist Huynh Quoc Thang, from the Oncology Department at the Cancer Center, Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, explains that immunotherapy encompasses diverse drug groups and techniques. These range from laboratory-produced immune proteins to treatments that modify a patient's own immune cells through gene editing.

Once administered, these substances enhance or modify immune system activity, amplifying its ability to detect and attack cancer cells.

Doctor Thang consults a patient. Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital.

Doctor Thang consults a patient. Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital.

Current immunotherapies for cancer include: monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, non-specific immunotherapy, oncolytic virus therapy, and T-cell therapy (CAR-T). Monoclonal antibodies, for instance, mimic natural antibodies. They recognize and bind to specific antigens on the surface of cancer cells, thereby activating the immune system to launch an attack.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking cancer cells' ability to deactivate the immune system. This action helps the immune system effectively recognize and eliminate cancer cells.

T-cell therapy involves extracting T lymphocytes from a patient's blood. Doctors then gene-edit these cells in a laboratory before reinfusing them, which activates their ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This therapy is commonly prescribed for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and adults with lymphoma. Patients undergoing treatment may experience side effects including: fatigue, fever, nausea, joint pain, rash, and infusion site reactions.

Dr. Thang highlights that while some patients respond well to immunotherapy, achieving long-lasting treatment efficacy, not all patients will experience the same results. Treatment selection depends on the cancer type, disease stage, and biomarker test results.

Patients should consult an oncologist for evaluation to determine if immunotherapy is suitable for their condition. This consultation also ensures they receive proper monitoring, prevention, and management of potential side effects throughout the treatment.

Khai Minh