Nowadays, immunotherapy and targeted therapy are also being used extensively in the treatment of cancer. This therapy is different from chemo and radiotherapy. For which cancer patients are these therapies beneficial and can they eliminate cancer? Why can’t they be used on all patients? Let us know about this from experts.
Dr. Rohit Kapoor, in the oncology department of Max Hospital, Delhi, says that personalized treatment of cancer has started in the last few years. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are a part of this. Both are considered very effective in the treatment of cancer. This therapy has proved to be especially effective in lung cancer and some types of blood cancer. With these, the life of a cancer patient can be extended and they are more effective in controlling cancer than common treatments.
What are targeted and immunotherapy?
Targeted therapy attacks specific genes or proteins of cancer cells. This means that this treatment attacks the cancer cells, but does not harm the healthy cells that much. This therapy is considered more useful in breast cancer and colorectal cancer patients. Talking about immunotherapy, it helps in fighting cancer cells by strengthening the immune system of the cancer patient. Immunotherapy also attacks the hidden cancer cells and helps in prolonging the life of the patient.
How effective is this therapy?
The effect of these therapies depends on the stage of the patient’s cancer and how the treatment is affecting him. Both therapies are beneficial and can control the disease for a long time. Although these therapies are considered advanced, they are not completely side effect-free.
For which patients is it beneficial?
Dr. Rohit explains that before starting these therapies, many types of tests are done. It is given to patients in whom it is found that this therapy can work, although it costs a lot.