Cancer is one of the deadliest conditions, leading to millions of deaths globally. With the advancements in medical techniques, several techniques have been developed to slow down the effects of cancer. Increased research and development have led to the development of advanced techniques like immunotherapy, which provides more effective treatment than traditional treatment techniques like chemotherapy, which has been used since 1940.
Recently, these two techniques have also been used combined or in a sequential way to enhance their efficacy in curing cancer patients. In this blog, we’ll compare immunotherapy vs chemotherapy, exploring how each works, their pros and cons, and better understand which better suits the patient touched by cancer.
Immunotherapy vs Chemotherapy: The key difference
Chemotherapy- It is the traditional way of treating cancer, which uses drugs that kill the fast-growing cancerous cells. It can be administered orally or through injections, depending on the stage of cancer
Key features
- Targets rapidly dividing cells
- Non-specific target, both cancerous and healthy cells
- Often used in combination with surgery or radiation
Potential Side Effects:
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Low immunity (due to bone marrow suppression)
- Risk of infection
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is an advanced treatment that harnesses or boosts your body’s immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells. At Denvax, we specialize in Dendritic Cell Therapy, a personalized form of immunotherapy that trains your immune system to target cancer cells more effectively.
Key Features:
- Trains the immune system to kill cancer cells
- Specifically targets the immune cells
- Fewer side effects, safe, and nontoxic
- Can offer long-lasting immune memory
Potential Side Effects:
- Mild flu-like symptoms
- Inflammation at the injection site
- Fatigue
- May develop autoimmunity (rare)
Which treatment option is better? Immunotherapy or Chemotherapy
Effectiveness of a treatment depnds on the type of cancer, its stage, and the individual’s health condition. Immunotherapy is specifically suited for targeting specific cancer cells, but usually slower and varies in efficacy. While chemotherapy can quickly shrink tumors, but its non-specific nature means it can also harm healthy cells, causes a range of side effects, from nausea and hair loss to more severe complications like immune suppression.
The effectiveness of immunotherapy can vary widely. Recent finding shows, the use of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors has shown a significant response rate in treating melanoma, with some patients experiencing long-term remission.(Click to read article)
Clinical research and studies have also demonstrated that immunotherapy can improve survival rates in non-small cell lung cancer patients(NSCLC), increasing the five-year survival rate by about 16% compared to traditional therapies.
However, research shows that the effectiveness of immunotherapy in solid tumors is limited as it largely depends on the presence of specific markers on tumors and the presence of tumor-targeting immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
When is chemotherapy and immunotherapy advised?
Use of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or both is highly specific. Here are some of the factors that are taken into account before considering:-
Type and Stage of Cancer: Cancers, like certain skin cancers, are found more responsive to immunotherapy, while others respond better to chemotherapy.
Tumor biomarkers: Specific surface protein markers such as PD-L1 and CTLA4 are overexpressed in many types of cancers, making them responsive to anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA4 targeted immunotherapy.
Genetic Profile: Specific genetic markers can make some patients better candidates for immunotherapy.
When is Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy typically administered?
When to administer Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy- It can be administered at various stages of cancer, or for those treatments that are not responsive to immunotherapy, it can be used as the first line of defence in cancers and melanoma, as it shows positive results with such types.
When to administer Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy- It is widely used for all types of cancer as a first line of treatment. it effectively shrinks the tumor size and reduces the effects of cancer. In most advanced stages, it can be used to alleviate symptoms and reduce the pain, thus increasing the survival chance and improving the quality of life.
Why Choose Denvax for Immunotherapy?
As a leader in Immunotherapy, we offer advanced dendritic cell therapy, a breakthrough in cancer treatment that enhances your immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.
What Makes Denvax Clinics Different:
- Decades of expertise in personalized immunotherapy
- Proven success stories across various cancer types
- Minimally invasive, outpatient procedures
- Nationwide clinic network & expert care
Take the First Step Toward Cancer Treatment
Want to get the best cancer treatment plan for your loved ones?
Book a consultation with a Denvax expert today and explore personalized cancer treatment that works with your body, not against it.
- Connect with Denvax Clinics today!
- Contact No- 011-41060168, 9625150164, 9953999439
- Toll-free Number- 18001231132, 18001232323
- Whatsapp- +91 9205454201
- Email ID: contact@denvaxindia.com
Final thought:-
Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy are both meant to be effective treatment procedures to cure cancer. Chemotherapy, being conventional, shows side effects and also affects the healthy cells too; for this, a new, more advanced immunotherapy technique has been developed and is still being developed, which is more targeted and specific with fewer side effects and becoming a safer approach to target cancer, However its use is limited to some cancer type making it highly specific Choose the best immunotherapy centre and get your personalised care suited to you to improve your quality of life
People may ask
What is the main difference between chemotherapy and immunotherapy in cancer treatment?
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill fast-growing cancer cells, but it can also harm healthy cells, leading to side effects. Immunotherapy, like the dendritic cell therapy offered by Denvax, boosts your immune system to target and destroy cancer cells specifically, often with fewer side effects.
Is immunotherapy more effective than chemotherapy for all types of cancer?
Not always. The effectiveness of immunotherapy depends on the cancer type, stage, and the patient’s immune response. While chemotherapy may be more suitable for certain cancers, immunotherapy is often preferred for advanced, resistant, or recurrent cancers.
Can immunotherapy be used alongside chemotherapy?
Yes. In many cases, immunotherapy and chemotherapy are used together for a combined effect. This approach may enhance overall treatment outcomes by attacking cancer from multiple angles..
What are the side effects of immunotherapy compared to chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy side effects typically include nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and low immunity. Immunotherapy generally causes milder side effects like fever, fatigue, or flu-like symptoms as the immune system activates.
Is Denvax immunotherapy suitable for late-stage cancer patients?
Yes! Denvax Clinic’s dendritic cell therapy is especially beneficial for advanced or treatment-resistant cancers. It provides a targeted approach that can help improve quality of life and support long-term immune response, even in late stages of the disease.
