Immunotherapy

Alternative treatments are becoming more common in cases of mesothelioma. Among these one of the most promising is mesothelioma immunotherapy, in which a patient’s own immune system is mobilized to fight against the cancer. Normally, the immune system will only destroy “intruder” cells, such as bacteria and viruses; since cancer cells are produced by the body, they are ignored by the patient’s immune system. Immunotherapy “tricks” the immune system into identifying cancer cells as intruders, which it then destroys without harming normal, healthy cells. Alternative treatments are becoming more common in cases of mesothelioma. Among these one of the most promising is mesothelioma immunotherapy, in which a patient’s own immune system is mobilized to fight against the cancer.

Normally, the immune system will only destroy “intruder” cells, such as bacteria and viruses; since cancer cells are produced by the body, they are ignored by the patient’s immune system. Immunotherapy “tricks” the immune system into identifying cancer cells as intruders, which it then destroys without harming normal, healthy cells.

Active immunotherapy treatments stimulate the immune system to fight disease by using cancer cells (or antigens removed from these cells) from within the patient’s body.

By modifying these to fit the profile of intruder cells, then injecting the modified cells into the body, doctors try to trigger an immune response against the malignant mesothelioma cells, allowing the body to destroy them.

In mesothelioma immunotherapy treatments, cancer cells are also taken from a patient and grown together with other cells that produce antibodies that identify cancer cells. The cancer cells pick up the “scent” created by the antibodies during this process, and are then injected back into the patient. The cancer cells, which now “smell” like intruder cells, are then attacked by the body’s defenses and destroyed.

Research continues, and other forms of mesothelioma immunotherapy, such as cytokine therapy with Interferon and Interleukin-2, hold promise as well. As time passes, new ways to turn the body’s own immune system against mesothelioma will no doubt be discovered.