Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment: Modern Approaches in Medical Oncology

Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In the treatment of cancer patients, alongside traditional methods such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, a treatment method called immunotherapy has started to occupy an important place in recent years.

Immunotherapy is a method that uses the body's natural defense mechanism, the immune system, to target cancer cells and thus assist in treating the disease. In this article prepared for you, we will provide general information about immunotherapy, explain how it affects cancer disease, and try to answer frequently asked questions about immunotherapy types.

What is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is fundamentally a treatment method that strengthens or modifies the immune system to make it fight against cancer cells. It uses the body's natural defense mechanism, the immune system, to target cancer cells and thus assist in treating the disease. Immunotherapy can prevent cancer cell growth, destroy cancer cells without damaging healthy tissues around them, and prevent cancer recurrence.

How Does Immunotherapy Affect Cancer Disease?

Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells continuously divide and multiply. In this process, the immune system attempts to detect and destroy cancer cells. However, some cancer cells can evade the immune system and continue to grow. Immunotherapy helps the immune system detect and target these cells more effectively, thereby ensuring the destruction of cancer cells.

What are the Types of Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy treatment can be applied in different ways and has various types. The main types of immunotherapy can be briefly explained as follows:

Monoclonal Antibodies: By binding to specific proteins on cancer cells, they enable the immune system to recognize and target them.

Checkpoint Inhibitors: These are drugs that increase the effectiveness of the immune system against cancer cells and help immune system cells destroy cancer cells more effectively.

Cancer Vaccines: Vaccines used to increase the immune system's response against cancer cells help the body recognize and target cancer cells more effectively.

T Cell Transfer: This involves multiplying the patient's own immune cells in a laboratory setting and reintroducing them to the patient to fight cancer cells.

Cytokine Therapy: A treatment method in which proteins that increase the effectiveness of immune system cells and enable cancer cell destruction are used.

What are the Benefits of Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a method used in cancer treatment that strengthens the immune system and enables it to fight against the disease. Immunotherapy has many benefits. Some of these benefits can be explained as follows:

• Immunotherapy targets cancer cells and provides treatment without damaging healthy cells. This increases patients' quality of life and makes the treatment process more comfortable.

• The success rates achieved with immunotherapy show longer-lasting effects compared to other cancer treatments. The immune system learns cancer cells and, if they reappear, fights them more quickly and effectively.

• Immunotherapy can be effective in cancer types resistant to other treatment methods. This offers new treatment options for patients.

• Immunotherapy has fewer side effects compared to treatment methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This allows patients to undergo treatment more comfortably.

• Immunotherapy can be used in combination with other cancer treatments. This increases the effectiveness of treatment and accelerates patients' recovery process.

Which Cancer Types are Treated with Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is an effective treatment method that can be used in many cancer types. Some of the cancer types in which immunotherapy is used are listed as follows:

• Lung Cancer

• Melanoma

• Kidney Cancer

• Bladder Cancer

• Head and Neck Cancers

• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Does Immunotherapy Have Side Effects?

The side effects of immunotherapy are generally less than other cancer treatment methods. However, like any treatment method, immunotherapy also has some side effects. Some of the side effects of immunotherapy are as follows:

• Fever and chills

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea and vomiting

• Skin reactions

• Immune system-related side effects

Each patient responds differently to immunotherapy, and side effects may vary from person to person. Side effects experienced during the treatment process should be shared with your doctor, and necessary precautions should be taken.

How is Immunotherapy Performed?

Immunotherapy is a method used in the treatment of various diseases such as cancer and allergic diseases. This treatment strengthens the body's immune system, enabling it to fight diseases more effectively. How immunotherapy is performed may vary depending on the type of disease and the patient's condition. The basic application methods of immunotherapy are as follows:

Allergy Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy used in the treatment of allergic diseases aims to increase the patient's tolerance to substances that cause allergic reactions. In this method, allergens are given in small doses to prevent the body from having an excessive reaction to allergens. Allergy immunotherapy can be applied in two ways:

Injection Immunotherapy: In this method, allergens are injected under the skin, which reduces the severity and frequency of patients' allergic reactions. The treatment process begins with weekly injections initially and then decreases to monthly injections.

Sublingual Immunotherapy: In this method, allergens are given under the tongue in tablet or drop form, and patients can use allergens at home. The treatment process usually lasts several years.

Cancer Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy aimed at activating the immune system to destroy cancer cells can be applied through various methods:

Monoclonal Antibodies: Laboratory-produced antibodies that target proteins specific to cancer cells and activate the immune system.

Tumor Vaccine: Vaccines containing parts or dead cancer cells help the immune system provide a more effective response against cancer cells.

Cytokine Therapy: This is performed by administering proteins that support the growth and activation of immune system cells.

T Cell Transfer: It is applied by multiplying the patient's own T cells in a laboratory setting and reintroducing them to the patient to destroy cancer cells.

Where is Immunotherapy Performed?

Immunotherapy is performed in hospitals and clinics that specialize particularly in allergy and cancer treatment. Additionally, university hospitals and private health centers may also provide immunotherapy services. Immunotherapy applications should be performed by experienced doctors and healthcare professionals. Throughout the treatment process, patients should be regularly monitored and their treatment compliance should be followed.

How Long Does Immunotherapy Last?

The duration of immunotherapy may vary depending on the type of disease, treatment method, and the patient's condition. Allergy immunotherapy typically lasts between 3 to 5 years, while cancer immunotherapy treatment may be shorter or longer. In cancer immunotherapy, the duration and effectiveness of treatment depend on the patient's cancer type, stage, and general health status. Throughout the immunotherapy process, patients' compliance and response to treatment should be evaluated through regular follow-ups, and treatment plans should be adjusted accordingly.

Immunotherapy Treatment Costs in Turkey

Turkey has gained recognition worldwide through its investments and efforts in the healthcare sector. Particularly, the latest technological devices used in diagnostic and treatment procedures have given hope in treating many diseases. Furthermore, there has been an increase in health tourism to Turkey.

• Hospitals being large, clean, spacious, and fully equipped with technological devices,

• Turkish doctors being expert, successful, and talented in their fields,

• Nurses and caregivers being friendly and compassionate,

• Questions being answered quickly and correctly,

• All personnel, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient, being patient and understanding,

• Turkey offering natural and historical attractions along with vacation opportunities,

• Easy accessibility,

• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, food, beverages, clothing, and vacation needs being available at affordable prices,

are among the reasons for preference. Regarding Immunotherapy Treatment Costs in Turkey, we can see that patients and their relatives wishing to come to Turkey are conducting research. However, at this stage, it would not be appropriate to provide specific pricing information. Many factors affect pricing, such as the type and stage of the disease, diagnostic period, treatment period, and duration of stay in Turkey. If you would like to obtain more detailed pricing information, you can contact us. Additionally, if you come to Turkey for treatment through our intermediation, we can facilitate your visa application process with an invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.