Category Archives: Immunotherapy
Risks of Immunotherapy
The risks and side effects associated with different types of immunotherapy include: – swelling – redness or infection at the injection site – rashes – allergic reactions – flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, chills and fatigue – digestive problems – changes in blood pressure or myocarditis (heart inflammation) – renal insufficiency (the kidneys) [...]
Preparation for Immunotherapy
If treated with interferon alfa-2a, ask your doctor if you have a history of heart disease or allergies to certain medications. Before therapy, your doctor will order blood tests to check your liver function and level of various blood cells. Your doctor will also ask about any history of depression or other psychiatric problems. This [...]
What Immunotherapy is used for?
Currently used different forms of biological response modifiers against many types of cancer. One type of interferon, called interferon alfa-2a, has been used to treat kidney cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, melanoma and certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) may be effective for kidney cancer and advanced melanoma. Rituximab (Rituxan) was the first monoclonal antibody [...]
Immunotherapy Used Today
Here are some examples of immunotherapy used today: Interferons: These chemicals increase the body’s immune response. They can also act directly on cancer cells to control their rapid growth. Interleukins: These chemicals can stimulate the growth of the body’s immune cells, particularly lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells). Colony-Stimulating Factors: These chemicals encourage the [...]
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy refers to the types of treatments that stimulate, enhance or suppress the body’s own immune system. Immunotherapy is used to treat certain types of cancer and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis. It’s called biological therapy, biotherapy, or therapy biological response modifier (BRM). The body’s immune system recognizes and [...]