Using Immunotherapy To Treat Brain TumorsAmong all those deadly diseases which claim maximum human lives worldwide, cancer still tops the list. Researchers and doctors have so far been able to develop many ways to treat cancer, and the fatality rate is coming down each year. However, the best way to eradicate a disease is by making the human population immune against the disease, so that their bodies can resist the attack of the virus.
In this article, we will try to know more about the treatment of cancer using immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy to treat brain cancer
Immunotherapy, sometimes interchangeably known as biotherapy, is the virus resistance mechanism that focuses on enhancing the immunity of the person to fight against diseases like brain cancer. Immunotherapy can work in two ways, as it can develop the body’s immunity to resist the growth of brain tumour cells, or it can help the body in producing antibodies to fight cancer-causing agents.
However, there’s a reason why scientists haven’t been able to develop a full-fledged vaccine for brain cancer; it is difficult to pinpoint and destroy the brain cancer cells because they appear very similar to the healthy cells. Let’s get more info about the reasons why it happens:
1. Tumours are not foreign infectious organisms, but rather cells that behave unusually.
2. Even though the immune system can recognize cancer cells, it is not able to destroy them as it doesn’t have an innate capacity to do so.
3. Tumour cells are experts in masquerading as healthy cells. In this way, they trick the immune system, which only targets the foreign agent in bodies.
With regards to immunotherapy for brain cancer, there hasn’t been much success, but hopes for the future are high. Immunotherapy is an excellent way to treat cancer in other body parts, but for the brain, there’s a blood-brain barrier that protects from foreign substances and hence, acts as an obstacle to the treatment.
We have already discussed how cancer cells are masters of disguise, and they have perfected it for brain tumours. Brain tumour cells cloak themselves to look just like other cells, and the immune system fails to recognize them.
Research in the field of immunotherapy for brain cancer is going at a good pace, and the clinical trials are in full swing. Biologists are also attempting to treat brain tumours by combining the immunotherapy method with other methods like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Various types of brain cancer immunotherapy methods in the trial run are:
- Cancer vaccines
- Adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT)
- Checkpoint inhibitors
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Adjuvant immunotherapies
- Oncolytic viruses
Conclusion
Brain cancer has a significant share among all cancer fatalities in the world, and that gives us another reason to pay special attention to its treatment and prevention. As per the general trend, patients who are diagnosed in the early stages have a better chance of recovering fully and returning to normal life. Therefore, to avoid any later stage complications and risks, it is advised to consult an oncologist as the symptoms arise.
About This Author | Meena Thakur A blogger who loves to create value for readers. Joined: April 8th, 2020
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