What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is one of the most promising advances in modern cancer treatment. It works by strengthening or restoring the body’s natural defense system to recognise and fight cancer cells more effectively. Unlike conventional treatments that act directly on cancerous tissue, immunotherapy activates the immune system to target disease internally.
Over the last decade, immunotherapy has become a cornerstone of oncology. It has shown success across several cancer types, including lung cancer, melanoma, and some advanced-stage cancers where traditional therapies may be limited. Its precision-based approach helps the body build a sustained defence against tumours, offering hope to patients who previously had few options.
At Onco-Life Hospitals in Pune, advanced immunotherapy treatments are offered as part of personalised cancer care plans. Each patient’s treatment is designed according to their cancer type, stage, and genetic profile, ensuring that every therapy aligns with their unique biological response.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that either empowers your immune system or stimulates it to fight against cancer. This treatment uses the body’s natural defenses to identify, attack, and kill cancerous cells. It is a subset of biological therapy that uses substances made from living organisms to treat cancer.
Your body’s immune system, made up of white blood cells, organs, and tissues of the lymph system, is inherently coded to specifically attack foreign bodies and cancerous cells; basically, anything that does not naturally belong in your system. Other therapies target & destroy all cells indiscriminately, whether healthy or cancerous. This makes immunotherapy superior and more natural as compared to other forms of treatment. Onco-Life Cancer Centre, Satara, and one of the best cancer hospital in Pune region tries to shed some light on Immunotherapy.
How the Immune System Works Against Cancer
The human immune system is designed to defend the body against infections, viruses, and abnormal cell growth. It has specialised cells—such as T-cells and antibodies—that constantly monitor the body for anything unusual. When it detects abnormal cells, the immune system typically destroys them before they can multiply.
However, cancer cells can be deceptive. They sometimes disguise themselves as normal cells or release signals that suppress immune activity. This allows them to evade detection and continue growing. Scientists discovered that certain “checkpoints” exist in the immune system to prevent overreaction, but some cancers exploit these same checkpoints to escape immune attack.
Immunotherapy helps reawaken the immune response. It uses targeted antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, and T-cell activators to recognise hidden cancer cells. Once reactivated, the immune system can directly attack tumours and even remember them if they try to return later.
Types of Immunotherapy
These treatments can either help the immune system attack cancer directly or stimulate the immune system in an overall manner. Based on these two roles, immunotherapy can be of the following types:
One that helps the immune system act directly against cancer
- Checkpoint inhibitors: These drugs drive the immune system to respond more strongly to a tumor by not actually attacking them. They keep the T cells (a kind of WBC) from destroying the cancerous cells while restraining the capacity of cancerous cells to attack the immune system.
- Adoptive cell transfer: This treatment uses T cells to fight cancer. These T cells are usually taken from the patient’s blood or tumor tissue. They are then grown in large numbers in a lab and given back to the patient to help the immune system fight cancer.
- Monoclonal antibodies: Monoclonal antibodies, also known as therapeutic antibodies, are laboratory-produced molecules programmed to serve as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance or mimic the immune system’s attack on cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies perform various roles such as:
- Flag the cancer cells and make them easily detectable by coating them
- Trigger an immune system response to attack the outer wall of a cancer cell
- Block the connection between a cancer cell and proteins that promote cell growth
- Prevent Blood vessel growth, which in turn inhibits tumor growth
Treatment vaccines: They boost your immune system’s response to cancer cells. Treatment vaccines are different from the ones that help prevent disease. can be expensive. Onco-life cancer centre in Satara near Pune gives state-of-the-art facilities and services of expert doctors in a serene environment, that can be the closest alternative if you are looking for Cancer Treatment Hospital in Pune.
One that enhances the body’s immune response to fight cancer
- Cytokines: These are proteins made by your cells. They play important roles in the body’s normal immune responses and also in the immune system’s ability to respond to cancer.
- BCG: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, is mostly used to treat bladder cancer. It is a weakened form of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis which is inserted directly into the bladder with a catheter. These bacteria cause an immune response against cancer cells.
What Is the Goal of Immunotherapy?
The main goal of immunotherapy is to help the body’s natural defences work better against cancer. It can either boost existing immune responses or restore weak ones. For many patients, the therapy helps control tumour growth, prevent recurrence, and improve long-term survival rates.
Instead of simply shrinking tumours for a temporary period, immunotherapy builds an ongoing immune surveillance system. That means your body continues to fight cancer cells long after treatment ends, creating lasting protection.
What types of cancer can be treated by Immunotherapy?
There are four main types of cancer that can be treated with immunotherapy namely leukemia & lymphoma, lung cancer, melanoma, and prostate cancer. There are other types of cancer too that can be treated with immunotherapy, but you will have to consult with a cancer specialist in Pune to find out.
What Happens During Immunotherapy Treatment?
Immunotherapy begins with a complete diagnosis and evaluation by an oncologist. Once your cancer type and stage are confirmed, your cancer care team selects the most suitable immunotherapy drug or combination. The medication may be administered intravenously, through injections, or in some cases as oral tablets.
Treatment is usually given in cycles, allowing the body rest periods to recover. Depending on your therapy plan, hospital visits may range from weekly sessions to monthly ones. Throughout the process, your oncologist and nursing team monitor for side effects, measure progress, and adjust doses as needed.
Patients at Onco-Life Hospitals in Pune receive care tailored to their comfort and medical condition. Beyond medical supervision, counsellors and nursing specialists provide ongoing emotional and physical support during every cycle of immunotherapy.
Who is eligible for Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is eligible for people with advanced-stage cancers, or for those whose cancers have returned and metastasized after initial treatment. However, some people may not be able to receive immunotherapy due to prevailing health problems. You can consult with the doctors from Onco-Life Cancer Centre, who are among the best oncologist, and ascertain your eligibility for the treatment. Contact Onco-Life Cancer centre today to know your options.
What Are the Potential Benefits and Risks of Immunotherapy in Oncology?
Benefits
- Targets and attacks cancer cells selectively while sparing most healthy tissue
- Helps the body develop long-term immune memory against cancer
- Can remain effective even in advanced or recurrent stages of cancer
- May lead to fewer severe side effects compared to chemotherapy
Risks
- Some patients may experience fatigue, mild fever, or inflammation
- Autoimmune reactions can occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells
- Regular monitoring is essential to detect and manage these reactions early
At Onco-Life Hospitals, oncologists in Pune closely monitor every patient to minimise risks during immunotherapy treatment.
How Is Immunotherapy Different from Chemotherapy?
|
Aspect |
Immunotherapy |
Chemotherapy |
|
Approach |
Stimulates the immune system to target cancer cells |
Directly destroys cancer cells using cytotoxic drugs |
|
Side Effects |
Immune-related and often milder |
Commonly causes hair loss, nausea, and fatigue |
|
Duration |
Can have long-term protective effects |
Typically produces short-term results |
Immunotherapy focuses on enabling the body’s own defences, while chemotherapy acts like a chemical attack on cancer cells. Many treatment plans now combine both for improved outcomes, balancing speed with sustainable disease control.
Which Cancers Can Be Treated with Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy has proven effective in several cancers, especially those resistant to conventional therapies. Commonly treated cancers include lung cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, head and neck cancers, prostate cancer, and urinary bladder cancers.
However, not every patient responds in the same way. Doctors consider multiple factors—such as cancer stage, the presence of specific biomarkers, and a patient’s general health—before recommending immunotherapy. At Onco-Life Hospitals, oncologists use advanced diagnostic tools to evaluate eligibility and predict the most likely beneficial outcome for each individual.
Choosing the Right Immunotherapy Treatment
Selecting the best immunotherapy approach involves more than identifying the type of cancer. Doctors also assess genetic mutations, immune cell activity, and any previous treatment history. Biomarker testing plays a vital role because it helps determine which patients are most likely to respond well.
Before starting immunotherapy, patients are encouraged to undergo a detailed consultation. At Onco-Life Hospitals, every treatment plan is developed by a multidisciplinary tumor board that includes oncologists, immunologists, and clinical pharmacists. This team-based decision-making ensures that therapy is tailored to each patient’s medical and personal needs.
If you’ve been advised to consider immunotherapy, it is valuable to seek a second opinion from Onco-Life’s oncology experts. They will review your reports, explain available options, and guide you through the next steps with empathy and clarity.
How Does Immunotherapy Work with Other Cancer Treatments?
Immunotherapy often works best when combined with other cancer treatments. For instance, chemotherapy or radiation can help break down tumour cells, exposing hidden cancer markers. Once visible, immunotherapy can target these cells more precisely. This combined approach can improve overall results and enhance patient recovery.
Some patients also receive immunotherapy alongside targeted drug treatments or hormone therapy. These integrated plans create a personalised treatment roadmap designed to deliver maximum benefit with minimal toxicity.
At Onco-Life Hospitals in Pune, experts carefully plan combination therapies using advanced technology and laboratory research inputs. The goal is to create treatment programs that not only control the disease but also help restore the patient’s quality of life.
Immunotherapy Appointment Guide
Booking an immunotherapy consultation at Onco-Life Hospitals in Pune is simple and patient-friendly.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the Onco-Life Hospitals website.
- Fill in your personal details and medical information in the appointment form.
- Select your preferred date and time for consultation.
- Receive a confirmation message with appointment details and preparation instructions.
Once your appointment is booked, the oncology coordination team will contact you to assist with report collection, insurance queries, and any questions before your visit.
When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider During Immunotherapy?
While immunotherapy is generally well-tolerated, it’s essential to remain alert to certain warning signs. Contact your oncologist or visit the hospital immediately if you experience any of the following:
- High fever or chills
- Shortness of breath or persistent cough
- Unusual fatigue or loss of appetite
- Rashes, swelling, or persistent inflammation
- Severe abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss
Prompt communication allows medical teams to evaluate side effects early and take swift steps to manage them safely. Most reactions can be controlled with medication adjustments or supportive care if addressed in time.
The Future of Immunotherapy at Onco-Life Hospitals
Immunotherapy is continuously evolving, with newer drugs and cellular therapies being developed each year. Onco-Life Hospitals remains committed to staying at the forefront of these innovations. Through partnerships with advanced research labs, the oncology team ensures access to the most effective and evidence-based immunotherapy options available in India.
Every patient’s cancer journey is unique. By aligning cutting-edge science with compassionate care, Onco-Life Hospitals in Pune aims to empower patients and their families with knowledge, choice, and hope — because every step toward healing begins with understanding.
