Cancer immunotherapy can be divided into three popular categories--interleukin, interferons and genetic therapy. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are many studies defending the use of the body's own immune system to fight diseases such as cancer. There also are side effects that counter the benefits and hope these adjunctive therapies promise.
Interleukin
American Cancer Society defines interleukins as the proteins/cytokines made by the body's immune system that can either promote disease or fight it. In the case of immunotherapy, interleukins are manmade to mimic natural cytokines used to boost or otherwise stimulate the cancer patient's immune system to disease fighting levels. Side effects of interleukin-2 include allergic reactions, adverse reactions in chronic autoimmune disorders, congestive heart failure and other heart problems; kidney, liver and thyroid problems; issues with gout, diabetes and possibly damage to an unborn fetus.
Interferon
There are three types of interferons--alpha, beta and gamma. The National Cancer Institute posits that alpha--as the most commonly used type--is employed in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, melanoma, chronic myeloid leukemia and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Side effects are considerable and can be quite severe, including flu-like symptoms of fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, blood pressure changes and site-specific irritation.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is an experimental treatment that uses the body's own genetic materials to fight disease. American Cancer Society defines this heavily detailed process as part of several clinical trials and as not quite ready for mass availability. Side effects listed include cross-contamination from diseased cells to healthy cells, inflammation and viral transmission of the disease to others.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Gene Therapy for Cancer: Questions and Answers
- American Cancer Society: Cancer Drug Guide: Interleukin-2, Aldesleukin
- "American Cancer Society"; Complete Guide to Complementary & Alternative Cancer Therapies; 2009
- American Cancer Society: Immunotherapy for Specific Cancers; April 2010
