What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is an effective cancer treatment that helps to stimulate the body's immune system to fight against cancer. The immune system of the body usually identifies and destroys any types of infections including cancer cells. But sometimes these cancer cells hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy boosts the cancer patients immune system and which further helps to recognise and destroy cancer cells.
How does Immunotherapy work?
Immunotherapy uses powerful drugs that:
- Boost Immune cells: Immunotherapy makes the immune system of a cancer patient stronger that helps to fight cancer cells more effectively.
- Target cancer cell: Many immunotherapy drugs target cancer cells effectively, that makes it easier to find cancer cells and attack cells.
- Block cancer’s defenses: Some types of cancers create a strong barrier around the cancer cells. Immunotherapy drugs help to break down these barriers and defenses so that the immune system can effectively reach the cancer cells.
Why choose Oncare for your cancer treatments
Here is the accurate comparison of cancer treatment cost at Oncare vs. other Cancer hospitals in India:
Oncare Cancer Centre | Other Cancer hospitals in India | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Treatment Procedure | Price range | Treatment Procedure | Price range |
Chemotherapy | 12,000-35,000 | Chemotherapy | 25,000-75,000 |
Targeted Therapy | 25,000-50,000 | Targeted Therapy | 50,000-1,00,000 |
Surgery cost | 75,000-5,00,000 | Surgery cost | 2,00,000-10,00,000 |
PET CT | 12,000 | PET CT | 25,000-40,000 |
Oncare Cancer Center is the best cancer hospital in India; this prestigious cancer care institution provides access to various cancer treatments at affordable prices. We are committed to supporting and guiding our cancer patients to focus solely on their healing journey rather than worrying about the cost of their cancer cure.
How is immunotherapy given?
Immunotherapy drugs can be often given to cancer patients in various ways based on the specific cancer and treatments:
These may include:
- Intravenous (IV): Immunotherapy drugs are given directly into the veins so that they can pass into the bloodstream. This is commonly given at a hospital or clinic.
- Oral (pills): Some immunotherapy drugs often given in the form of pills, can be carried with you.
- Injection: Some of these drugs can be injected into the skin or into the muscles.
- Topical cream: There are some types of drugs that are applied topically as a cream for cancers such as skin cancers.
When is immunotherapy given?
Immunotherapy is usually preferred for several types of cancers when treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are not enough to cure the cancer.
It may be given if:
- The cancer has spread to other body parts or recurred even after the cancer treatments.
- The cancer is in its advanced stage and hard to treat with surgery or any other treatments.
- Cancer is a specific type and responds to treatments like immunotherapy, such as melanoma, lung cancer, or bladder cancer.
- The patient's body is too weak to receive chemotherapy.
Where will you receive the treatment?
Immunotherapy treatments are often delivered in a cancer hospital or a clinic, where an oncologist can easily monitor your progress. There are treatments such as oral immunotherapy that can be taken at your home.
The common time gaps between treatment might vary depends upon the treatment:
- Every 2-4 weeks for another IV immunotherapy treatment
- Daily, weekly, or monthly for pill-based or injection-based treatments
- Treatments are often given in sessions or cycles, allowing time gaps for healing the body from treatments.
What’s to expect during the treatment?
Here’’s what’s to expect during the treatment:
- During treatment: The treatment duration might last for a few hours, especially for IV infusions. The technician might monitor the patient for any reactions.
- Potential side effects: Some patients may feel tired and also experience side effects such as nausea, fever, or have skin changes. Side effects can vary from different types of immunotherapy.
- Response time: Immunotherapy works gradually as it helps boost the immune system, to slowly see the progress.
Preparing for Immunotherapy
Here are few ways to prepare for your treatment:
- Follow Pre-treatment Instructions: The doctors may advise you to avoid certain types of foods, medicines, or activities before treatment.
- Stay hydrated and eat well: Drinking plenty of water and eating balanced foods can support your energy levels.
- Bring essential items: Bring essential items such as comfortable clothing, medicines, or a blanket to feel more comfortable during your treatments.
- Arrange transportation: Some of you may feel tired after the immunotherapy. Ask someone to help you with the transportation.
- Ask necessary questions. Feel free to ask any questions about your treatment to calm your mind and help you feel prepared.
Tracking progress
Monitoring the treatment progress is considered crucial to assess the immunotherapy response in patients.
- Regular monitoring and check-ups: Regular routine check-ups with the doctor helps you to track the response of treatments.
- Imaging tests: Getting periodic scans such as CT or PET scans helps to assess if the cancer is shrinking or stable.
- Blood tests: Getting blood tests also helps to analyse the immune system and organs that are reacting to the treatments.
Journaling symptoms: Keeping a journal of your symptoms helps you to understand how you feel during each day. This also helps you and your doctor track any changes or side effects and make necessary adjustments.
Common Immunotherapy drugs
Here are some of the commonly used immunotherapy drugs, including:
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda): These drugs are used for treatments including melanoma and lung cancer.
- Nivolumab (Opdivo): These drugs are used for melanoma, lung, and kidney cancer.
- Ipilimumab (Yervoy): These drugs work by enhancing the immune system’s ability to identify and recognize cancer cells.
- Atezolizumab (Tecentriq): These drugs are used for cancer, such as bladder and some types of lung cancer.
- CAR-T cell therapy drugs such as tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah): There are specialized treatments where immune cells are modified to target and destroy cancer cells.
Patient Assistant Programs (PAP)
Patient Assistance Programs (PAP) are available at Oncare to make immunotherapy treatments more affordable and accessible.
We provide:
- Financial Assistance: We help to cover some or all costs of treatment for eligible patients.
- Free Drug Programs: There are some pharmaceutical companies that offer free immunotherapy drugs for eligible cancer patients.
- Patient support services: It offers cancer education, emotional support and resources for managing side effects of treatments.