Immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most exciting advancements in cancer care. Unlike traditional treatments, immunotherapy harnesses the power of your immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells more effectively. This innovative approach is bringing new hope to patients and families worldwide. This blog will guide you through its benefits, how to get started, what the treatment journey looks like, and what to expect along the way.
What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is an advanced treatment technique that boosts your immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.Unlike traditional treatment techniques like chemotherapy, which directly kills cancer cells (but can also target healthy cells), immunotherapy trains your body’s natural defenses to target cancer more precisely and sustainably.
What are the types of immunotherapy?
Types of immunotherapy that are available today are:
- Checkpoint inhibitors- drugs that remove the “brakes” from immune cells, helping the immune system to freely attack cancer cells.
- Dendritic cell therapy- Dendritic cells or precursor monocytes are trained to target cancerous cells more precisely.
- Cancer vaccines– It is designed to trigger an immune response against cancer cells more effectively to reduce the chance of relapse.
- CAR-T cell therapy- T cells are modified immune cells prepared in the lab to specifically target the protein antigen on the cancer cells to slow their growth and kill them.
At Denvax, we specialize in personalized therapy, which offers a highly targeted and natural way to boost your body’s fight against cancer.
1. Before Starting Immunotherapy
Initial assessment and planning are crucial to ensure immunotherapy is right for you. Here’s what you can expect:
Thorough Medical Evaluation
- Physical Examination: A complete check-up to understand your general health and condition.
- Blood Tests: To assess organ function (especially liver, kidney, thyroid) and check immune markers.
- Imaging Tests: Such as CT scans, PET scans, or MRIs to help evaluate the size and spread of tumors.
- Genetic and Biomarker Testing: In case specific genetic mutations (like MSI-high, PD-L1 expression) are present, cancers respond better to immunotherapy.
Personalised Treatment Plan
- Your oncologist will discuss the type of immunotherapy, treatment scheduled for you, expected outcomes, and possible side effects.
- You’ll also talk about what you want to do with your issue: Is the aim to shrink the tumor, stop cancer progression, or prevent recurrence?
Tip: Always come prepared with your questions and take your family member with you to appointments for support.
With the First Session of Immunotherapy
The first session is completely normal. Here’s how the day usually goes:
The Setup
- You’ll be seated comfortably in a treatment chair in an infusion suite or outpatient clinic.
- If receiving an IV immunotherapy drug, a small catheter is placed into a vein (usually in your arm).
The Infusion
- Infusions can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the specific drug or cell therapy.
- Nurses monitor you closely, especially during the first session, for any side effects that may develop after infusion (like allergic reactions).
How does it feel?
- Most patients feel normal during and after the first infusion.
- Some may feel a little tired, lightheaded, or slightly feverish afterward, which usually resolves quickly.
What Happens After Each Treatment?
After each immunotherapy session, the real work begins inside your body. Here’s what happens:
- Your immune system becomes highly alert to the cancerous cell.
- Immune cells are activated to seek out and destroy tumors.
- Over time, your immune system may develop a memory, which can help prevent relapse.
What are the Possible Side Effects of Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy side effects are usually milder than those from chemotherapy, but can vary greatly depending on how your immune system reacts and the person’s condition. Here’s what you might experience:
- Fatigue (common)
- Mild fever or chills
- Loss of appetite
- Skin rash, itching, or dryness
- Muscle or joint aches
- Shortness of breath
Rare but Serious Side Effects
Sometimes the immune system can become hypersensitive and develop autoimmunity (attacking own cells, called immune-related adverse events), leading to:
- Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)
- Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- Intestinal inflammation (colitis)
- Thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism)
Important: Early detection of serious side effects is crucial. Always report new symptoms to your healthcare team immediately.
How is progress monitored?
Immunotherapy requires continuous monitoring to assess how well it’s working:
- Blood Tests: To track immune markers and organ health.
- Imaging Scans: After a few cycles, scans check whether the tumors are shrinking, stable, or progressing.
- Physical Exams: To detect any subtle changes early.
Thing to know: Tumor may sometimes appear larger before shrinking (called “pseudo-progression”) as immune cells aggregate in the tumor area. Your doctor will interpret scans carefully to avoid mistaking healing for worsening.
How Long Does Immunotherapy Last?
Immunotherapy lasts mainly depending on the dosage; it can:
- Some protocols involve infusions every 2–3 weeks for several months.
- Others, like personalized cell therapy, may be given in a few cycles and monitored over time.
- Maintenance therapy may continue for a year or longer if you respond well and tolerate treatment.
How is life During Immunotherapy?
Most patients get back to their normal routine during immunotherapy:
- Work and family life- Can usually continue with adjustments for fatigue.
- Exercise- Walking or light yoga can boost energy and mood.
- Healthy eating: Eat a diet that supports immune function and focus on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and plenty of water.
- Stress management, through mindfulness, therapy, or support groups, is just as important as the physical side.
Tip: Listen to your body. Rest when needed, but stay as active and positive as you can.
Final Thoughts
Starting immunotherapy marks the beginning of a powerful journey, where your immune system can be greatly enhanced to fight against cancer. While taking immunotherapy, it’s natural to feel a mix of hope, uncertainty, and excitement. With proper preparation, honest communication with your healthcare team, and strong self-care, you can navigate this path with confidence and resilience. Consult with your doctor and go to the best cancer clinic that offers cutting-edge immunotherapy supported by compassionate, personalized care.
People may ask
Is Immunotherapy worse than chemotherapy?
Immunotherapy is completely safe compared to chemotherapy as it is more targeted and precise. It is one of the best alternatives to chemotherapy to control cancer.
Is hair loss during Immunotherapy?
Unlike Chemotherapy, no hairs are lost in Immunotherapy as it does not use any drugs, making it safer. Sometimes, thinning of hair can be seen which may result in hair loss.
How long is an immunotherapy session?
It may last from 10 minutes- 1 hour, depending upon the dosage and type of cancer, and the patient’s condition.
What to expect from an immunotherapy session?
During immunotherapy, you can have milder side effects depending on the person’s self-immunity. It includes fatigue, shortness of breath.
What are the good signs of Immunotherapy?
If your tumor shrinks progressively, and all the monitoring test shows a positive result means immunotherapy is doing good, which indicates good signs of immunotherapy.
