Treatment & care / Melna Oncology Centre
Helping the immune system recognise and respond to cancer.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works with the body’s immune system to help it recognise, target or respond to certain cancer cells.
Immunotherapy has become an important treatment option for a number of cancers, but it is not suitable for every cancer or every patient.
At Melna Oncology Centre, Dr Thandeka Buthelezi-Zulu, Specialist Clinical & Radiation Oncologist, assesses each patient’s diagnosis and individual clinical circumstances when considering whether immunotherapy may form part of their treatment.
The immune system normally protects the body from infections, abnormal cells and other potential threats.
Cancer presents a particular challenge because cancer cells develop from the body’s own cells. Some cancers can also develop ways of avoiding or suppressing the immune system’s response.
Immunotherapy refers to a group of treatments that influence the immune system or the interaction between the immune system and cancer.
Different immunotherapies work in different ways. Some help immune cells recognise or attack cancer cells, while others interfere with mechanisms that cancers use to avoid an immune response.
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy work differently.
Chemotherapy acts directly on cells and can destroy cancer cells or interfere with their ability to grow and divide.
Immunotherapy works by influencing the immune system or immune response against cancer.
Neither treatment is inherently better than the other. The appropriate treatment depends on the particular cancer and the individual patient.
In some circumstances, immunotherapy may be used on its own. In others, it may be combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy or other treatments.
Immunotherapy is used in the treatment of certain cancers.
Whether it may be appropriate depends on factors such as:
Two people with apparently similar cancers may therefore receive different treatment recommendations.
Dr Buthelezi-Zulu will assess the clinical information relevant to your diagnosis before discussing whether immunotherapy may be an appropriate treatment option.
There are several different forms of immunotherapy used in cancer care.
The immune system has natural mechanisms known as checkpoints that help prevent excessive immune activity.
Some cancer cells can exploit these mechanisms to avoid being attacked by immune cells.
Checkpoint inhibitor medicines block particular checkpoint pathways, which can allow the immune system to respond more effectively to certain cancers.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced proteins designed to recognise particular targets.
Some monoclonal antibodies are used as immunotherapies, while others are classified as targeted therapies or are used to deliver treatments to cancer cells.
Their role depends on the particular medicine and cancer being treated.
Other immunotherapy approaches include certain immune-stimulating treatments, cancer vaccines and specialised cellular therapies.
These treatments have specific uses and are not appropriate for every cancer or available in every treatment setting.
Your oncologist can explain which treatment options are relevant to your particular diagnosis.
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Although immunotherapy has changed the treatment of some cancers, many cancers do not respond to currently available immunotherapies.
Even among patients with the same type of cancer, treatment response can vary.
For some cancers, testing for particular biomarkers or molecular characteristics may help determine whether certain immunotherapies are likely to be appropriate.
This is one reason cancer treatment must be based on the characteristics of the individual cancer rather than simply its name.
The way immunotherapy is administered depends on the particular medicine.
Many commonly used immunotherapy medicines are given through an intravenous infusion, while other immunotherapies may be administered differently.
Treatment is usually given according to a schedule, with intervals between treatments.
The frequency and duration of treatment depend on the medicine being used, the cancer being treated, the purpose of treatment and how the patient responds.
Your treatment schedule will be explained before treatment begins.
Before starting treatment, Dr Buthelezi-Zulu will review the clinical information relevant to your diagnosis.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include pathology results, imaging, blood tests, previous treatment and, where appropriate, biomarker or molecular testing.
Your general health, medical history and medications are also important.
Tell your oncology team about any medical conditions you have, particularly conditions involving the immune system, as well as all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, supplements and complementary treatments you use.
Because immunotherapy affects the immune system, its side effects can be different from those associated with chemotherapy.
Some people experience relatively mild effects, while others can develop more significant reactions.
Possible side effects may include:
Importantly, some immunotherapies can cause the immune system to become overactive and affect healthy organs and tissues.
This can result in inflammation involving areas such as the bowel, lungs, liver, skin, kidneys, hormone-producing glands or other organs.
Although many immune-related side effects can be managed effectively when recognised early, some can become serious if treatment is delayed.
Do not assume that a new symptom during immunotherapy is unimportant simply because it seems mild.
Tell your oncology team about new or worsening symptoms during treatment.
This can include changes in breathing, bowel habits, skin, vision, energy levels or other changes in how you feel.
Your healthcare team can determine whether the symptom could be related to treatment and whether further assessment or treatment is required.
Immunotherapy works through the immune system, but it is still a medical cancer treatment.
It should not be confused with supplements, herbal products or treatments marketed as ways to “boost” the immune system naturally.
Cancer immunotherapies are specific medicines or medical treatments selected according to the patient’s cancer and clinical circumstances.
You should tell your oncology team about supplements, herbal remedies or complementary treatments you are taking because some may interact with your cancer treatment or affect your health.
Your response to treatment will be monitored during your care.
Depending on your diagnosis and treatment plan, monitoring may include clinical assessments, blood tests and imaging at appropriate intervals.
Response to immunotherapy can vary considerably between patients.
Dr Buthelezi-Zulu will discuss the results of these assessments with you and whether treatment should continue or whether changes to the treatment plan should be considered.
Immunotherapy can be an important treatment for certain cancers, but the decision to use it requires careful consideration of the individual patient and the biology of their cancer.
The question is therefore not simply:
“Does immunotherapy treat cancer?”
The more useful question is:
“Is immunotherapy appropriate for my cancer and my circumstances?”
That is a question to explore with your oncologist.
If immunotherapy has been recommended as part of your cancer treatment, or you would like to discuss whether it may be relevant to your diagnosis, you can request a consultation with Dr Thandeka Buthelezi-Zulu at Melna Oncology Centre.
Melna Oncology Centre
Medicare Medical Centre, Suite 12
85 Bird Street
Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal
Telephone: 034 317 3460
Mobile & WhatsApp: 063 037 3819
Email:admin@melnaoncology.co.za
Request a Consultation
This is general patient information. Your oncologist will explain whether a treatment is appropriate for your diagnosis and circumstances.
The next step
Discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with Dr Buthelezi-Zulu and the Melna Oncology team.