Immunotherapy is a revolutionary cancer treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. If you or a loved one is considering immunotherapy, here’s a list of the top 5 immunotherapy drugs currently used in cancer treatment.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. It’s often used when other treatments have failed or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
Top 5 Immunotherapy Drugs:
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda): Commonly used for melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and head and neck cancers. It helps the immune system recognize cancer cells.
- Nivolumab (Opdivo): Often used for melanoma, kidney cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer.
- Atezolizumab (Tecentriq): Approved for bladder cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer.
- Ipilimumab (Yervoy): Used for melanoma, often in combination with other immunotherapies.
- Durvalumab (Imfinzi): Used for lung cancer and urothelial carcinoma.
What to Expect with Immunotherapy:
- Benefits: Immunotherapy can provide long-term remission for some cancers. It may be more effective in cancers that have spread or are difficult to treat.
- Side Effects: Immune-related side effects can include skin rashes, fatigue, and inflammation in organs.
Key Takeaways:
- Immunotherapy drugs help the immune system fight cancer cells.
- Pembrolizumab and nivolumab are among the most widely used.
- Side effects can occur but are typically manageable.
- Not all patients respond to immunotherapy, but it’s a growing field of treatment.
- Always discuss with your oncologist whether immunotherapy is the right choice for you.
Disclaimer: Consult with your doctor about whether immunotherapy is suitable for your cancer type.
