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Types of Treatment - Biotherapy
Biological therapy (also called immunotherapy) is a form of treatment that uses the body's own natural ability (immune system) to defend itself against disease, infection or side effects of treatments.
Types of Treatment
Types of Biotherapy
There are five general types of biotherapy which can be used alone or in combination with each other or other cancer treatments.
Interferons
Proteins released by white blood cells to improve the immune system's reaction to invading organisms such as cancer. These proteins are used to treat such cancers as melanoma and chronic myeloid leukemia.
Interlukins
Proteins which increase the growth and activity in the body's immune system. Cancers that have metastasized to other parts of the body, such as melanomas and kidney cancer, are treated with interlukins.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Treatment created in the laboratory by combining different cells together. This treatment is designed to recognize specific areas on the surface of cancer cells and attack primarily the cancer cells. Some lymphomas and breast cancers are treated with monocolonal antibodies.
Vaccines
Treatment that helps the body recognize cancer cells and stimulates the immune system to destroy them. Cervical cancer is the most recent disease to receive FDA approval for vaccine treatment.
Colony Stimulating Factors
Treatment which strengthens the immune system by increasing the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. The enhanced immune system allows patients to receive higher doses of chemotherapy or maintain their treatment schedule. Examples of these drugs are Neupogen, Neulasta, Aranesp, Procrit, Neumega.
How is Biotherapy Given?
Biotherapy is often used in conjunction with another therapy, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
What are the Side Effects?
The side effects of biological therapy depend on the type of treatment. Often, these treatments cause flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some patients get a rash, and some bleed or bruise easily. In addition, interleukin therapy can cause swelling. Depending on how severe these problems are, patients may need to stay in the hospital during treatment. However, these side effects are usually short term, and gradually go away after treatment stops.