Immunotherapy has changed how several cancers are treated, including melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer and bladder cancer. Once used mainly in advanced cancer, it is now part of treatment discussions for a wider range of cancer types and stages.
Unlike chemotherapy, which directly targets and destroys cancer cells, immunotherapy supports the body’s own immune system to recognise and respond to malignant cells. For suitable patients, it offers an alternative treatment option that can benefit their health, with reduced side effects compared to chemotherapy.
Hunter Valley Oncology helps patients understand how immunotherapy works, what treatment may involve and how it may fit within their broader cancer care plan.
How Immunotherapy Works
The immune system can detect and respond to abnormal cells. Cancer cells, however, can disguise itself by producing signals that suppress immune activity or response against them, and even avoid immune detection entirely.
Immunotherapy works by helping the immune system recognise and respond to cancer cells. Different types of immunotherapy work in different ways, including:
Checkpoint inhibitors
These medicines block proteins such as PD-1, PD-L1 or CTLA-4, which can act like “brakes” on immune cells. Blocking these signals helps immune cells recognise and attack cancer.
Monoclonal antibodies
Laboratory-made antibodies that target specific molecules on cancer cells, marking them for immune destruction. This helps the immune system identify those cells or interfere with signals cancer cells use to grow.
Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy?
The effectiveness of immunotherapy varies between cancer types, depending on several factors, including tumour type, stage, genetic mutations, and the patient’s overall health.
Commonly treated cancers include:
- Melanoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney (renal cell) carcinoma
- Bladder cancer
- Certain head and neck cancers
Before starting treatment, your oncology team may order biomarker tests to check whether your cancer expresses certain proteins (such as PD-L1) or genetic features that predict a positive response.
What to Expect During Treatment
Immunotherapy is typically administered intravenously, though some treatments may be given as injections. Appointments are usually scheduled every two to four weeks, depending on the drug and treatment plan.
Patients find that immunotherapy feels different from chemotherapy, and is associated with fewer side effects, such as hair loss or nausea. However, immune-related side effects can occur when the activated immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. These may include:
- Skin rashes or itching
- Fatigue
- Diarrhoea or bowel inflammation, known as immune-related colitis
- Inflammation of organs such as the lungs (pneumonitis), liver (hepatitis), or thyroid gland (thyroiditis)
Diarrhoea is important to report early. In some cases, it can be a sign of immune-related colitis and may need treatment such as corticosteroids, not just standard diarrhoea medication.
Your oncology team will monitor your treatment with review appointments, blood tests and imaging. Tell your oncology team about new or worsening symptoms as soon as they appear, even if they seem mild, as many can be addressed with timely intervention.
Combining Immunotherapy with Other Treatments
In some cases, immunotherapy may be used alongside chemotherapy, targeted therapy or radiation. These combined approaches may complement other treatments to optimise effectiveness before immunotherapy is introduced.
Clinical research is ongoing to determine the best sequencing and combinations. At Hunter Valley Oncology, treatment decisions are always individualised, taking into account the latest evidence, patient preferences, and overall goals of care.
Living Well During Immunotherapy
Because immunotherapy works with your immune system, maintaining overall well-being is vital. Patients are encouraged to:
- Eat a balanced diet to support immune function
- Stay physically active as tolerated.
- Report any new symptoms, even mild ones, to the care team promptly.
- Keep vaccinations up to date (after discussion with the oncologist).
- Attend all follow-up appointments for monitoring.
Some patients experience a gradual improvement in energy and well-being as their immune system adjusts, while others may have variable side effects. Patience and open communication are key to optimising treatment effectiveness.
New Directions in Immunotherapy
Research into immunotherapy continues to advance. Scientists are studying ways to improve treatment effectiveness, reduce side effects and expand benefits to cancers that currently respond less to treatment.
Areas of active research include:
- Personalised vaccines based on a patient’s tumour mutations
- Dual checkpoint inhibitors that act on more than one immune checkpoint
- Microbiome-based therapies that look at the role of gut bacteria in immune response
This research may help guide future treatment options for patients and families affected by cancer.
Immunotherapy and Your Cancer Care
Immunotherapy has become an important part of cancer treatment, especially in the field of oncology. It can offer an alternative treatment option and reduced side effects for certain cancers, supporting the body’s natural defences.
At Hunter Valley Oncology, we help patients across Newcastle and the Hunter Valley understand what immunotherapy may involve, from treatment planning to side effect monitoring.
If immunotherapy has been recommended or raised as an option, speak with Hunter Valley Oncology about what it may mean for your cancer type, treatment stage and personal circumstances.
This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. All medical procedures carry risks, and outcomes vary between individuals. Always seek the advice of your GP, specialist, or another appropriately qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Where further or specialised care is required, your treating practitioner can provide referral.
