Updated on: Sep 14, 2022

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment, sometimes called biological therapy. Immunotherapy works to help the immune system find and attack cancer cells.

Immunotherapy is used to:

Stop or slow the growth of cancer
Stop cancer cells from spreading to other parts of the body
Help the immune system work better to destroy cancer cells
Deliver toxins, such as radiation or chemotherapy, directly to cancer cells

Immunotherapy Facts

There are many types of immunotherapy. Ask your Oncologist which type you are taking
Immunotherapy can be given as a pill (orally) or by a needle into your vein (IV)
You will have a set schedule for taking your immunotherapy
You may have immunotherapy on it's own or along with chemotherapy, radiation or both
Your Oncology Nurse will go over the specific side effects of your immunotherapy

Acs Immuno — Handout on immunotherapy from the American Cancer Society.

Immunotherapy - American Cancer Society

Transcript for: Immunotherapy - American Cancer Society

Immunotherapy is one possible treatment your doctor may recommend. Immunotherapy is treatment that uses a person's own immune system to fight cancer by boosting or changing how the immune system works so it can find target and attack cancer cells. that's a general definition but it's normal to have questions. Let's answer some of those.

How does immunotherapy work? Some immunotherapy drugs help the immune system work harder and smarter to find and kill cancer cells, others add to functions already found in the immune system.

How is it different from chemotherapy? Immunotherapy boosts or creates a stronger immune response that can kill cancer cells but usually don't harm healthy cells. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells but also harms healthy cells so the side effects can be very different.

How does the doctor know if immunotherapy is the right treatment? This depends on the type and stage of the cancer, certain tests, your overall health and current guidelines in research. Immunotherapy works better for some types of cancer than for others. Sometimes it's used by itself and sometimes it seems to work better when used with other types of treatment like chemo.

How soon should immunotherapy start? Your doctor or cancer care team will tell you how quickly immunotherapy should be started.

How are immunotherapy drugs given and where do people go to get them? Many are given at an outpatient clinic through an iv line as an injection or infusion. Some newer immunotherapy treatments may require a hospital stay, others are given by mouth as a pill or capsule and can be taken at home.

How long does treatment last and how often is it given? This depends on the type and stage of your cancer, the immunotherapy being given, and how your body responds to treatment. Treatment may be daily, for a few days, weekly or monthly. Some types of immunotherapy are given in cycles a period of treatment followed by a period of rest. The rest period gives your body a chance to recover.

What are some common side effects side effects? Depend on the drug used and the body's response to it. Not all people getting immunotherapy have side effects but some common ones are rashes, itchiness, flu-like symptoms and diarrhea. Your cancer care team can help you prevent and manage side effects.

What are good questions to ask before treatment? Every person is different and not everyone will have the same response or side effects. Ask about the drugs being used, your treatment schedule, side effects you can expect and how long they might last, how to handle the side effects and when you should call your doctor or nurse.

To learn more visit cancer.org treatment or call the American Cancer Society helpline at 1-800-227-2345 to speak with a cancer information specialist.