9. Immunotherapy Response: The New Frontier in Treatment Options
Traditionally, chemotherapy and surgery have been the go-to solutions for treating mesothelioma. Now, the landscape is changing, with immunotherapy rapidly emerging as a new hope for patients. So, how does this fit into your prognosis puzzle? Let’s delve in.
Immunotherapy is a treatment that supercharges your immune system to fight cancer cells, essentially turning your body into an anti-cancer powerhouse. It’s an ally you didn’t know you had. While it’s relatively new in the mesothelioma arena, early studies show promise, especially for those who haven’t had much luck with chemotherapy.
Then, there’s the topic of “checkpoint inhibitors,” medications that allow immune cells to attack cancer cells more efficiently. Imagine your immune system as a highly-trained secret service unit. Checkpoint inhibitors are the special codes that grant them the license to neutralize threats without bureaucratic hindrance. Drugs like pembrolizumab and nivolumab have shown positive results in clinical trials, even for advanced mesothelioma. (9)
