Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a modern form of treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight disease, particularly cancer. It helps the immune system to recognize and attack harmful cells such as cancer cells, or in autoimmune diseases where the immune system overreacts, to calm it down.
How does it work, especially with cancer?
In cancer, cancer cells can hide from the immune system, for example through so-called “checkpoints” that deactivate immune cells. Immunotherapy relies on checkpoint inhibitors and blocks these checkpoints. In this way, the immune system remains active and continues to attack the cancer cells. Other methods include special antibodies that mark cancer cells or CAR T-cell therapy, in which T-cells are genetically modified to fight cancer cells.
Role of laboratory medicine
Laboratory medicine supports immunotherapy with tests that indicate before treatment whether it will be effective. One example of this is the PD-L1 test. During treatment, blood tests and tumor markers monitor how well it is working and help to detect side effects such as liver problems at an early stage. Laboratories also develop new therapies and adapt treatments to individual patients.
Matching:
Biomarker warns of complication of CAR T-cell immunotherapy – MedLabPortal
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