Get to know everything about how the immune system work

The network of biological processes that protects an organism from diseases is known as the immune system. Different types of cells, organs, tissues and proteins constitute the immune system. The network of the immune system is spread throughout the body and helps the body in fighting against various diseases and severe infections from a wide variety of pathogens, viruses, parasitic worms as well as cancer cells.
When these cancer cells remain undetected by the immune system, it results in the formation of tumors.

How does the immune system work?

The immune system can differentiate and tolerate whatever belongs to self, and reject the non self (foreign invaders) by detecting proteins found on the surface of the cells. It protects the body from harmful or foreign substances (antigens), like bacteria and viruses. In many cases, the antigen may be toxins, chemicals or cells damaged due to sunburn or cancer. The reaction and responses that the body makes against these foreign substances is known as immune response. Immune system is especially important for people suffering from cancer because cancer and its treatment can weaken the immune system; it fights and provides protection against cancer.

What is immunity?

Every person’s immune system responds differently. It becomes stronger during adulthood as one gets more exposure to pathogens. Thus, immunity is defined as the capability of a multicellular organism to resist harmful microorganisms. Our body starts preparing antibodies against these antigens to destroy them. A copy of these antibodies remains in the body so that it can protect the body more quickly if the infection happens again with the same antigen. 3 types of immunity are found in humans:

• Innate immunity: All organisms are born with some level of immunity against invaders called innate immunity.
• Adaptive (acquired) immunity: Organisms acquire immunity through exposure to various diseases throughout their lives as well. This is called acquired or adaptive immunity. Our body retains a copy of antibodies to protect it from disease in the future.
• Passive immunity: This type of immunity is acquired from different sources; it does not last indefinitely. For example, breast feeding a baby after birth provides antibodies through mother’s milk.

What is immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses the body’s immune system (immunity) to fight against cancer. In other words, immunotherapy is a process of reactivating the body’s immune response to fight against cancer. It is widely used as a treatment for cancer across India.

How does immunotherapy work against cancer?

The immune system identifies abnormal cells in the body and prevents them from growing. The immune cells found in and around tumors are called Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes or TILs. The presence of TILs is an indication that the immune system is fighting against cancer cells.

Immunotherapy helps in boosting the immune cells to fight against cancer. It educates the immune cells to identify cancer cells and destroy them. Immunotherapy also provides the body with additional elements that promote an immune response. It is administered in different forms such as cancer vaccines, tumor infecting viruses, adjuvant targeted antibodies, adoptive cell transfer, cytokines and checkpoint inhibitors. Since all these therapies include components from living organisms, they are referred to as biotherapies.

Types of immunotherapy:

Here are some of the immunotherapies which can boost the immune response against cancer:

• T- Cell Transfer Therapy: T-cell transfer therapy enhances the capability of T-cells to fight against cancer. In this therapy, the most effective cells against cancer are selected from the cells of the tumor and are administered back into the body using a needle.
• Treatment vaccines: A treatment vaccine improves the ability of the immune system to fight against cancer.
• Immune checkpoints inhibitors: Drugs that inhibit or block the immune checkpoints to boost immune cells to respond more effectively to cancer are called immune checkpoints inhibitors.
• Monoclonal antibodies: They are the therapeutic antibodies that focus on specific types of cancer cells which are destroyed by the immune system.
• Immune system modulators: It enhances the response of the immune system to fight against cancer.

Conclusion:

If your immune system is compromised or you are suffering from cancer, you can seek medical advice from doctors at YASHODA SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL AND CANCER INSTITUTE, SANJAY NAGAR, GHAZIABAD. It is one of the premiere cancer hospitals located in Delhi NCR which provides the best cancer treatment using modern technologies. Various kinds of therapies used to treat cancer are performed with great precision and care at Yashoda.

Some of the best-known cancer doctors treating various types of cancers at Yashoda are: Dr. (Maj. Gen.) B.N. Kapur, the Director of Medical Oncology has a specialty in medical oncology and in treating blood-related disorders like leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, lymphomas, multiple myeloma, etc. He has served in the army for more than 36 years as a medical oncologist at the Armed Force Medical College and Command Hospital, Pune. Dr. Kapur is especially known for treating solid organ cancers using the latest evidence-based therapies.