This May marks Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public understanding about this innovative cancer treatment approach. Throughout the month, healthcare organizations highlight the significant advancements in immunotherapy research and treatment options.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy uses your immune system to fight cancer. It works by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. You might have immunotherapy on its own or with other cancer treatments. Immunotherapy is a standard treatment for some types of cancer. It is also in clinical trials for other types of cancer.
Who can have Immunotherapy?
Your eligibility for immunotherapy depends on your individual circumstances, including the type and stage of your cancer, your overall health, and whether you've previously been treated for cancer. Immunotherapy is most often used for advanced cancers or when other treatments have failed.
What is the Difference between Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy?
The primary distinction between immunotherapy and chemotherapy is how they target cancer cells.
Immunotherapy doesn't target cancer cells directly. Instead, it stimulates the immune system to recognize and combat cancer cells more effectively. Several forms of immunotherapy are used today, including checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell transfers (ACTs), each with its unique mechanism and application.
Chemotherapy involves administering drugs that are toxic to cells, particularly those that are rapidly dividing, like cancer cells. This can be achieved through various mechanisms, such as interfering with DNA replication or the metabolic processes of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy often leads to immediate and noticeable side effects, as it affects all rapidly dividing cells. However, immunotherapy tends to cause immune-related side effects ranging from mild to severe.
During Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month this May, talk to your doctor to see if immunotherapy is right for you. Contact us today at 704-342-1900.
published: June 2, 2025, 3:36 p.m.