How Useful is Immunotherapy for Blood Cancer

What Does Immunotherapy Mean?

Immunotherapy or Biotherapy is the therapy in which the body’s immune system is used to fight ailments like blood cancer. Immunotherapy can prepare the immune system of the body to kill or attack the cancer cells. It can also unswervingly (directly) work with the body’s immune system to stop or control the development of the cancer cells.



Different Types of Immunotherapy for Blood Cancer

Cytokines – The immune system controls the growth of the cancer cells by WBCs or White Blood Cells from which signaling proteins are produced. Two common cytokines are Interferon and interleukin.

Immunomodulators - These substances modify the way cells signal and interact with each other to grow and divide.  Some immunomodulators are Thalidomide and Pomalidomide.

Gene Therapy – In this method, genetic material is inserted to fight blood cancer by a viral vector.
Monoclonal antibodies — these antibodies are produced in labs, bind to cancer cells and given by IV infusion which allows the immune system of the body to kill the cancer cells in the bone marrow and the blood.

Immunotherapy along with chemo and steroid is also suggested for some blood cancers by doctors in Blood Cancer Hospital in India.

If you choose taking immunotherapy for your blood cancer, you’ll have the treatment for several weeks, once or limited times depending upon the nature and stage of your cancer.

Additional Read :Blood Cancer :- How to Recognize its symptoms in initial stages 

Side Effects of Immunotherapy 

The side effects of immunotherapy differ from person to person and they also depend upon the agent used in the procedure.
Some side effects often observed are:


  • Swelling or rashes a
  • Fever
  • Weaknesst the injection site
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain

The doctor might also take a blood test to check anemia or any other health issue during the blood cancer treatments in India.

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