Immunotherapy: How is this new "weapon" that helps the immune system destroy cancer cells on its own being applied?

1. What is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a modern cancer treatment method that helps activate the patient's own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which directly attacks cancer cells, immunotherapy disrupts the interaction between cancer cells and the immune system, enabling immune cells to detect and attack cancer cells. This method has shown efficacy in various types of cancer such as lung, breast, kidney, skin, and certain gastrointestinal cancers.

2. How is Immunotherapy Applied in Cancer Treatment?

The most common approach today involves immune checkpoint inhibitors, which help disrupt the pairing between immune cells and cancer cells, thereby allowing immune cells to recognize and attack the tumor. Immunotherapy can be used as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy, depending on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease. Not all patients are suitable candidates, so biological factors such as PD-L1, MSI/MMR, and the patient's overall condition must be thoroughly evaluated prior to treatment.

3. Immunotherapy Services at the Hospital

At the hospital, immunotherapy is implemented according to international standard protocols, individualized for each patient. Patients undergo multidisciplinary team (MDT) consultation and necessary testing to select the appropriate therapy and are closely monitored for side effects throughout the treatment process. The application of immunotherapy opens up opportunities for long-term disease control, improving survival time and quality of life for many cancer patients.

The information above is for reference purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please contact your doctor for detailed medical consultation.