Many types of immunotherapy are available or under study to treat cancer, in particular:
Immune control point inhibitors
These therapies block proteins on immune cells called “control points”, which hinder the ability of the immune system to identify and attack cancer. When the control points are disabled, your immune system can better recognize and kill cancer cells.
Certain examples of immune control point inhibitors are the Dostarlimab (Jemperli) and the Pembrolizumab (Keytruda). These drugs strive to embarrass protein actions on cancer cells and T cells (an immune cell). The blocking of these proteins, called PD-1 and PD-L1, interferes with the capacity of cancer cells to hide and escape the immune system of the body, which helps the immune system to locate and attack cancer cells.
“Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is most often used to treat [some types of] Ovarian cancer, “said Kalyan Banda, MD, assistant professor of medical oncology at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle.” Research showed that when it is combined with chemo, it made a difference. »»
Another inhibitor of the control point that can be used outside the label, explains Dr. Banda, is Nivolumab (Opdivo), which is currently approved by American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the bladder, the colorectal, the esophagus and other cancers.
Therapy of T cells of the chimerical antigen (CAR)
With T -ray cell therapy, special T cells (a type of white blood cells) are removed from your body and modified in a laboratory. The improved cells are then rested in your body, so that they can find, fix and kill cancer cells.
T cell therapies have been effective in treating blood cancers, but they have not yet had similar success with solid tumors, including ovarian cancer. Researchers are currently studying methods that combine T cell treatments because with control point inhibitors, chemotherapy and other therapies to improve safety and efficiency.
Cytokines
Cytokines are small proteins that transport messages between cells and regulate the growth and activity of immune cells, as well as blood cells that help the inflammatory and immune responses of the body.
Regarding cytokines and ovary cancer, the image is complicated and contradictory. Research shows that certain types of interleukin (IL) and interferon (IFN), which are two types of cytokines, can be important factors in the development of ovarian cancer. For example, some have contributed to tumor growth and the spread of cancer. But others have been identified as potentially useful for early detection or treatment.
Likewise, although some IFNs can play a role in resistance to chemotherapy, others contribute to the effectiveness of radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and other treatments for ovarian cancer.
Researchers are currently working to understand the relationship between cytokines and ovarian cancer because they aim to advance the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Vaccines
Cancer vaccines teach T cells to respond to specific tumor antigens (substances that cause an immune response).
Ovarianvax, which is developed by researchers from the University of Oxford in England, works by forming the immune system to detect and destroy cells likely to develop in ovary cancer, before becoming cancerous. This can potentially save lives, especially for people at high risk of ovary cancer, including those with BRCA1 / BRCA2 mutations.
Oncolytic virus
With this treatment, doctors give patients modified viruses to infect and kill cancer cells.
Clinical trials studying oncolytic viruses are in the early stages, but treatment has generally proven to be sure. That said, research has indicated that these viruses have a modest impact on survival rates of ovarian cancer.
The current trials also examine whether the combination of oncolytic viruses with immune control point inhibitors and other immunotherapy leads to an increase in the effectiveness of these treatments.
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