How Does Immunology Work in Cancer Treatments?

How Does Immunology Work in Cancer Treatments?

Immunology has discovered that your immune system can fight cancer in many ways. One method is the use of treatment vaccines. Unlike a typical vaccine, this one teaches the immune system to recognize and attack cancer. Other methods mobilize immune system components, like antibodies and T cells, that form part of the body’s natural cancer defenses. 

These changes to the immune system make it better at finding and killing cancer cells. They can stop these cells from dividing and interrupt their ability to grow and spread. Immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments to make them more effective. Advances in immunology allow scientists to keep discovering new ways to target cancer in different ways. 

What are the Side Effects of Immunotherapy?

Thanks to immunology, we know that many of the symptoms of a cold or flu come from your own immune system. The side effects of immunotherapy are the result of your immune system being activated, including:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Blood pressure changes
• Rashes
• Headache
• Nausea

Each person will react differently to immunotherapy. Some experience more side effects than others. Your experience will be different if your plan includes other treatment methods like chemotherapy. Immunotherapy avoids most of the “friendly fire” that causes side effects in chemotherapy.