Critical decision for you and your doctor- Chemotherapy or Immunotherapy Which pathway to choose?
Cancer treatment modalities have advanced considerably over the years, providing individuals with better and more effective options when fighting cancer.
Despite the benefits, it is important to find a balance between different modes of treatment. While chemotherapy is more effective in some cases, immunotherapy may be for others.
Often, the two treatments may work best in tandem, collaborating to help provide the most successful outcome and better long-term cancer treatment strategies.
Which is better – Immunotherapy or chemotherapy?
It is difficult to tell which one is better. The mode of action of immunotherapy is different than that of chemotherapy. The treatment strategies for the two lines of treatment are also different. The application of the therapy depends on the stage of the patient, the response to drugs, and the ability of the patient to withstand side effects.
What is Immunotherapy and chemotherapy?
Immunotherapy and chemotherapy are both cancer treatments, but they work in different ways. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to directly kill cancer cells, whereas immunotherapy is a treatment that works by enhancing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
Chemotherapy drugs are cytotoxic agents, meaning they kill all rapidly dividing cells, including healthy ones, while immunotherapy drugs are designed to target specific cancer cells or boost the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Both types of treatment may be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments.
What are the Types of Immunotherapy?
There are main two types of immunotherapy used to treat cancer. These include
– Immune checkpoint inhibitors
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy that block proteins called checkpoints made by some types of immune system cells. By blocking these checkpoints, immune checkpoint inhibitors can enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.
– T-cell transfer therapy
T-cell transfer therapy, also known as adoptive T cell therapy or adoptive cell transfer, is a type of immunotherapy that involves taking a patient’s T cells (a type of immune cell) and modifying or enhancing them in a laboratory before reintroducing them back into the patient’s body.
T cells from the patient or a donor are isolated and genetically modified to recognize and attack cancer cells before being infused back into the patient’s body.
Broad Classification of Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can be broadly classified based on its mode of action into several categories, which include:
Alkylating agents – Compounds that prevent DNA to RNA conversion in cells
Antimetabolites- These compounds interfere with the synthesis of DNA in cells
Anthracyclines- These compounds cause the death of DNA in cells
Plant alkaloids- These compounds prevent cell division
Topoisomerase inhibitors- These compounds interfere with DNA replication
Difference between Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy- Route of administration, dosages.
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are two different types of cancer treatments that differ in their route of administration, dosages, and effects.
Route of Administration: Chemotherapy drugs are typically administered intravenously, meaning they are given directly into a vein through a needle or catheter, while immunotherapy can be administered in several different ways depending on the specific therapy, including intravenously, by injection, or by mouth.
Dosages: Chemotherapy drugs are often given in high doses that are toxic to both cancer and healthy cells, while immunotherapy drugs are generally given in lower doses and are designed to prime or activate the immune system to specifically target cancer cells.
Duration of treatment of chemotherapy and immunotherapy
The duration of treatment for chemotherapy and immunotherapy can vary depending on the specific type of cancer being treated, the stage of cancer, and the patient’s overall health. In general, chemotherapy treatment typically involves a series of cycles, with each cycle lasting a few weeks to a few months.
The total length of treatment may last several months or even up to a year or more, depending on the specific treatment protocol.
The duration of immunotherapy treatment can also vary depending on the type of immunotherapy being used. Some immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, are given for a fixed duration of time, typically several months.
Other immunotherapies, such as adoptive T cell therapy, may involve a one-time infusion of modified T cells. In some cases, immunotherapy may be given continuously for an extended period of time, even for the remainder of a patient’s life in certain cases.
Not only is the duration of the treatment crucial, but it is also important to understand the sequencing of the treatment. MedicoExperts tumor board plays a major role in deciding that.
Immunotherapy specific for certain cancers – Chemotherapy is advised for almost all types of cancer
CAR T cell therapy, which is a form of adoptive T cell transfer therapy, has shown promise in treating certain types of blood cancers, including lymphomas and some forms of leukemia.
Immunotherapy has been demonstrated to be capable of producing durable responses in numerous types of cancer.
Some breast cancers may be treated with immunotherapy in addition to other chemotherapies
While chemotherapy is often used for many types of cancer, there are some cancers, such as certain blood cancers, that may be better treated with immunotherapy.
Side effects – Chemotherapy vs Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy can cause side effects, but the type and severity of the side effects may differ. Some of the mild side effects of immunotherapy may include flu-like symptoms or a reaction at the injection site, while more serious cases can cause the immune system to attack healthy cells.
On the other hand, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that may cause a range of side effects, including fatigue, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and an increased risk of infection.
However, some of the side effects of chemotherapy may diminish once treatment is completed.
Immunotherapy, in general, may be less toxic than chemotherapy for patients with cancer.
MedicoExperts tumor board has the right ability to decide how many side effects a patient can withstand depending on the age and the health of the patient.
Effect of immunotherapy on body cells – Last longer than chemotherapy
The effects of immunotherapy may last longer than chemotherapy. Once the immune system has been activated, it may continue to work to fight off the cancer cells even after the treatment has ended. However, it’s important to note that the exact duration and effectiveness of each treatment will depend on the individual case.
Immunotherapy vs Chemotherapy: Cost of Treatment
Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy can have varying costs depending on several factors such as the country and the type of cancer being treated,
Immunotherapy has been found to be an expensive treatment and the high cost can be a financial burden for some patients and their families. In India, the average cost of immunotherapy for a single cycle ranges from 1 lakh to 1.5 lakhs. A cancer patient may require 3 – 4 cycles.
However other factors like patient age, health condition, type of tumor, and stage of cancer can impact the cost of treatment.
On the other hand, chemotherapy is generally considered to be more affordable than immunotherapy but its affordability may depend on factors such as the type of chemotherapy being used, the number of treatment cycles. The cost of treatment varies from INR 35,000 ( 500 USD) per cycle
Immunotherapy vs Chemotherapy : Role of MedicoExperts tumor board
MedicoExperts Tumor Board plays an important role in evaluating treatment options for cancer patients including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
The research panel in the board specifically researches immunotherapy in the fight against cancer, while medical oncologists apply chemotherapy, and immunotherapy to treat cancer.
According to research on novel therapies, the potential efficacy of immunotherapy as an alternative to chemotherapy is highlighted. Overall, the MedicoExperts tumor board can help determine the best treatment sequencing and combination of therapies for individual cancer patients’ outcomes.
MedicoExperts tumor board can improve the life expectancy of patients by deciding on the right choice of treatment – chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy.
Conclusion:
Immunotherapy and chemotherapy are both important cancer treatments, with different mechanisms of action and advantages in specific contexts. While chemotherapy targets all rapidly dividing cells, killing cancer cells and healthy cells, immunotherapy boosts the immune system to specifically target cancer cells. Immunotherapy produces fewer side effects, but it is not effective for all types of cancer.
Chemotherapy remains a standard treatment option for many cancers, and it can be combined with immunotherapy for increased efficacy.
Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a tumor board to find the most effective treatment strategy for an individual patient.
FAQ :
Q1. Which is safer chemotherapy or immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is safer than chemotherapy, but it can also have side effects like skin infections and rashes
Q2. Is immunotherapy replacing chemo?
Each type of treatment is unique. Immunotherapy is not meant for all cases and for all types of cancer.
