Immunotherapy for Cancer
The immune system is a collection of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from infection. The cells of the immune system can recognize and destroy foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. The immune system also recognizes and destroys cancer cells.
The main types of immune cells are B cells, T cells, Natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages.
What are T Cells?
T cells are a type of white blood cell crucial to the immune system. They can recognize cancer cells as being different from normal, healthy cells. When they see cancer cells, they are supposed to kill them. But sometimes, cancer cells can find ways to avoid being killed by these cells. The Philadelphia doctors found a way to take T-cells from people with cancer, grow more in the lab, and give them back to the patients. The T-cells were now more likely to kill the cancer cells.
This new immunotherapy was decidedly different from the treatments people received before. Instead of attacking cancer with poisons like chemotherapy and radiation, the Philadelphia doctors taught the immune cells to become more adept at killing the cancer cells. It is the basic concept behind immunotherapy.
What are B Cells?
B cells are another type of white blood cell. B cells make proteins called antibodies. Antibodies attach to viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders and help destroy them.
Sometimes, cancer cells can find ways to avoid being destroyed by B cells. The Philadelphia doctors found a way to take B cells from people with cancer, grow more of them in the lab, and give them back to the patients. The B cells were now more likely to make antibodies that would attach to and help destroy the cancer cells.
What are Natural Killer Cells?
Natural killer (NK) cells are a type of white blood cell that can kill cancer cells and viruses. NK cells are essential because they can kill cancer cells that have found ways to avoid being killed by T and B cells. The Philadelphia doctors found a way to take NK cells from people with cancer, grow more of them in the lab, and give them back to the patients. The NK cells were now more likely to kill the cancer cells.
What are Macrophages?
Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that can eat foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Macrophages are essential because they can kill cancer cells that have found ways to avoid being killed by T cells, B cells, and NK cells. The Philadelphia doctors found a way to take macrophages from people with cancer, grow more of them in the lab, and give them back to the patients. The macrophages were now more likely to kill the cancer cells.
How Does Immunotherapy Work?
Immunotherapy for cancer works by helping the immune system kill cancer cells. The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that protect the body from infection. Cancer cells can grow and divide out of control, and they sometimes find ways to avoid being killed by the immune system. Immunotherapy for cancer can be used alone or with other cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Immunotherapy and The CC Formula
The developers of the CC Formula have designed a way to help the immune system recognize and attack cancerous cells, leaving the healthy cells functioning without disruption. Click here for more information about this formula.
There are several types of immunotherapy:
Monoclonal antibodies: Scientists design monoclonal antibodies as manufactured proteins to bind to specific receptors on cancer cells. It helps the immune system recognize and destroy the cancer cells.
Checkpoint inhibitors: Checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that take the breaks off the immune system. Cancer cells sometimes find ways to avoid being recognized and destroyed by the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking these brakes, which allows the immune system to kill the cancer cells.
Cytokines: Cytokines are proteins that help stimulate the immune system. You can use them alone or in combination with other immunotherapy treatments.
Vaccines: Vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy specific types of cancer cells.
T cell adoptive therapy: T cell adoptive therapy is a type of immunotherapy that uses T cells from the patient’s body. The T cells are taken from the blood or bone marrow and are grown in the laboratory.
Inject them back into the patient, and they will assist in killing the cancer cells.
What are the side effects of Immunotherapy?
The side effects of immunotherapy vary depending on the type of treatment. They can range from mild to severe and can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash
- Headache
- Muscle aches and pains
Immunotherapy can also cause the immune system to attack healthy cells. This is called an autoimmune reaction. Autoimmune reactions can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Chest pain
Clinical Trials
A clinical trial is a research study that tests a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. Clinical trials help to find out if new treatments are both safe and effective. Immunotherapy clinical trials are ongoing in an effort to find new and better ways to treat cancer.
If you would like to learn more about cancer-related topics, visit our blog!
I hadn't heard of manipulating our immune cells in such a way before - but any scientific advancement that helps end the cancer epidemic we have today is good news in my books!
I know there are some natural compounds (and probably chemical alternatives) that are able to help boost the immune system and facilitate the growth of natural killer cells, but if there really is a treatment that can multiply each individual T-cell 10,000 times to fight off the infections...This is unprecedented news that could really change a lot of lives.
Thanks for the enlightening article!