By Suzana 
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Unleashing the Immune Army
Immunotherapy has emerged as a powerful weapon in the fight against cancer, and breast cancer is no exception. One of the most promising approaches is through immune checkpoint inhibitors. Our immune system is a complex network of cells that work tirelessly to protect us from invaders. However, cancer cells are masters of disguise, able to evade detection by the immune system. Immune checkpoints are essentially “off switches” on immune cells that prevent them from attacking healthy tissues. But cancer cells can hijack these checkpoints to avoid being eliminated.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking these “off switches,” allowing the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Drugs like pembrolizumab and atezolizumab have shown promise in treating certain types of breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-positive breast cancer. While not a cure-all, immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved outcomes for many patients.
Targeted Therapies: Precision Strikes
While not strictly immunotherapy, targeted therapies often work in concert with the immune system to combat cancer. These treatments focus on specific vulnerabilities within cancer cells, disrupting their growth and survival. Some targeted therapies can also stimulate an immune response against the cancer.
For example, HER2-positive breast cancer is often treated with targeted drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin). This medication binds to the HER2 protein on the surface of cancer cells, blocking their growth and signaling pathways. Additionally, trastuzumab can trigger an immune response against HER2-positive cancer cells.
Cancer Vaccines: Teaching the Body to Fight Back
Cancer vaccines represent a more traditional approach to immunotherapy, aiming to stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells as if they were a foreign invader. While still under development, cancer vaccines hold significant potential for preventing or treating breast cancer.
There are several types of cancer vaccines being explored. One approach involves using weakened or inactivated cancer cells to trigger an immune response. Another strategy focuses on using specific cancer antigens to stimulate the immune system. Researchers are also investigating the use of personalized vaccines, tailored to each patient’s unique tumor characteristics.
Adoptive Cell Therapy: Customized Cancer Fighters
Adoptive cell therapy is a highly personalized form of immunotherapy that harnesses the power of a patient’s own immune system. This approach involves removing immune cells, typically T cells, from a patient’s blood. These cells are then genetically engineered in a laboratory to express receptors that recognize specific cancer cells.
Once modified, the T cells are infused back into the patient, where they can seek out and destroy cancer cells with enhanced precision. While still a relatively new treatment, adoptive cell therapy has shown remarkable success in certain types of blood cancers and is being explored for solid tumors, including breast cancer.
Oncolytic Viruses: Turning Viruses into Weapons
Oncolytic viruses are a fascinating and innovative approach to cancer treatment. These are genetically engineered viruses that selectively infect and kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. In addition to their direct cancer-killing effects, oncolytic viruses can also stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells.
While still in the early stages of development, oncolytic viruses have shown promise in treating various cancers, including breast cancer. These viruses may be used alone or in combination with other therapies.