immunoteràpia

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that harnesses the power of the patient's own immune system to fight cancer cells. It works by stimulating or enhancing the immune system's ability to recognize and attack malignant cells. Unlike traditional therapies like chemotherapy or radiation that directly target cancer cells, immunotherapy aims to equip the body's natural defenses to do the job.

There are several types of immunotherapy. One common approach involves checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs block proteins that prevent the immune system from attacking cancer cells. By releasing these "brakes," the immune system can more effectively target and destroy the tumor. Another type is adoptive cell transfer, where a patient's own immune cells are collected, genetically modified in a lab to better recognize cancer, and then reinfused into the patient. Vaccines are also being developed as a form of immunotherapy, designed to train the immune system to identify and attack specific cancer cells.

Immunotherapy has shown significant promise in treating various cancers, including melanoma, lung cancer, and certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. While it offers a powerful new avenue for cancer treatment and can lead to long-lasting remissions, it is not without side effects. These can include fatigue, skin rashes, and autoimmune-like reactions where the immune system attacks healthy tissues. Ongoing research continues to expand the applications and improve the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy.