Boosting the Body’s Immune System to Fight Cancer More Effectively

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a modern class of cancer immunotherapy medicines that help the body’s own immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. They have transformed cancer treatment worldwide and offer new hope for many patients, especially in advanced cancers.

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What Are Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors?

Cancer cells often “hide” from the immune system by using special proteins called checkpoints. These checkpoints act like brakes on the immune system, preventing it from attacking harmful cells.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors release these brakes, enabling immune cells—especially T-cells—to attack cancer more powerfully.

🟦 In simple words:

Checkpoint inhibitors help your immune system wake up, identify cancer cells, and destroy them.

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⭐ Why Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Are Needed

Immune checkpoint therapy is recommended when:

✔ The cancer uses immune “escape” pathways

(e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4)

✔ Chemotherapy is ineffective or not suitable

✔ A long-term, durable response is expected

Some patients achieve years of cancer control.

✔ Combination therapy may improve outcomes

Checkpoint drugs can be combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, or surgery.

✔ Fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy

Most patients tolerate immunotherapy far better than conventional chemo.

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⭐ How Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Work

There are two major checkpoint pathways:

1. PD-1 / PD-L1 Inhibitors

Prevent cancer cells from turning off immune cells.

Examples: Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, Atezolizumab, Durvalumab.

2. CTLA-4 Inhibitors

Act on early immune activation.

Example: Ipilimumab.

These medicines help immune cells attack cancer more aggressively and accurately.

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⭐ Cancers Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

• Lung cancer

• Head & neck cancers

• Melanoma (skin cancer)

• Kidney cancer

• Liver cancer

• Cervical cancer

• Bladder cancer

• Colorectal cancer (MSI-H or dMMR types)

• Hodgkin lymphoma

• Esophageal cancer

• Some rare tumours

Your oncologist recommends immunotherapy based on tumour markers, biopsy, and genetic tests such as PD-L1 score, MSI, TMB, etc.

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⭐ Benefits of Immune Checkpoint Therapy

✔ Durable, long-lasting responses

Some patients achieve long-term remission.

✔ Works even in advanced or metastatic cancers

✔ Fewer and milder side effects than chemotherapy

✔ Suitable for older or medically weak patients

✔ Boosts natural immunity instead of poisoning cancer cells

✔ Can be combined with radiotherapy (“abscopal effect”) for enhanced results

⭐ Possible Side Effects (Usually Mild & Manageable)

Immune checkpoint inhibitors boost immunity, so side effects are often related to inflammation:

• Fatigue

• Skin rash

• Diarrhea

• Cough

• Thyroid imbalance

• Joint pain

• Mild fever

Rare but serious side effects (immune-related):

Pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis—treated quickly with steroids.

At I D Cancer Centre, patients are closely monitored to ensure early detection and safe management of side effects.

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⭐ Immune Checkpoint Therapy at I D Cancer Centre

✔ SGPGIMS-trained cancer specialist with advanced immunotherapy experience

✔ Full evaluation of tumor markers (PD-L1, MSI-H, TMB)

✔ Personalized treatment plans

✔ Safe administration in monitored chemo-daycare

✔ Regular follow-up and toxicity monitoring

✔ Integration with radiation, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy

✔ Patient counselling, diet guidance, and recovery support

🟦 Conclusion

Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a major advancement in cancer care, offering targeted, powerful, and long-lasting treatment for many cancers. At I D Cancer Centre, Lucknow, our team provides expert guidance and safe, evidence-based immunotherapy tailored to each patient.