Journal of Cancer Immunology & Therapy

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Commentary - Journal of Cancer Immunology & Therapy (2023) Volume 6, Issue 2

An evaluation of immunotherapy for most cancers: From the past to the present to the future.

Sabeeh Butt*

Department of Oncology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

*Corresponding Author:
Sabeeh Butt
Department of Oncology
University of Sydney
Sydney, Australia
E-mail:sabeeh.b@act.gov.org

Received:28-Mar-2023,Manuscript No. AAJCIT-23-97302; Editor assigned: 30-Mar-2023, PreQC No. AAJCIT-23-97302(PQ); Reviewed:13-Apr-2023, QC No. AAJCIT-23-97302; Revised:18-Apr-2023, Manuscript No. AAJCIT-23-97302(R); Published:25-Apr-2023, DOI: 10.35841/aapmt- 6.2.141

Citation: Butt S. An evaluation of immunotherapy for most cancers: From the past to the present to the future. J Cancer Immunol Ther. 2023;6(2):14

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Abstract

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of cancer, with several immunotherapies approved for the treatment of various cancers. The history of cancer immunotherapy dates back to the late 19th century, and since then, scientists have made significant progress in understanding the immune system's role in fighting cancer, leading to the development of several immunotherapies. Despite some challenges, ongoing research is aimed at improving the efficacy of existing immunotherapies and developing new ones. The future of immunotherapy looks bright, with the potential to transform cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Keywords

Immunotherapy, cancer, checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, combination immunotherapy.

Introduction

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and despite significant advancements in cancer treatment, the disease remains a formidable challenge. Traditional cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, have limitations, including severe side effects, resistance, and cancer recurrence. However, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of various cancers. In this article, we will evaluate the history, current status, and future potential of immunotherapy for cancer. The history of cancer immunotherapy dates back to the late 19th century when William Coley, a New York surgeon, used bacterial infections to treat cancer. The approach, known as Coley's toxin, was a crude form of immunotherapy and led to occasional success. Since then, scientists have made significant progress in understanding the immune system's role in fighting cancer, leading to the development of several immunotherapies.[1].

One of the earliest and most successful immunotherapies is interleukin-2 (IL-2), which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992 for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. IL-2 stimulates the growth and activity of immune cells, particularly T cells, to attack cancer cells. However, the high toxicity and limited efficacy of IL-2 have limited its use. Another major breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy came with the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are proteins that bind to specific molecules on cancer cells, triggering an immune response. The first mAb approved by the FDA was rituximab, which was approved in 1997 for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Since then, several mAbs, including trastuzumab, bevacizumab, and ipilimumab, have been approved for the treatment of various cancers.[2].

Checkpoint inhibitors, such as ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab, are among the most promising immunotherapies for cancer. These drugs work by blocking the interaction between cancer cells and immune checkpoint molecules, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4, thereby enhancing T cell activity against cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors have shown remarkable results in treating melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and other cancers, leading to their approval by the FDA.[3].

Despite the success of immunotherapy, some challenges remain. One major challenge is the limited response of some patients to immunotherapy, which may be due to the immune system's inability to recognize and attack cancer cells. Another challenge is the development of resistance to immunotherapy, which may occur due to the cancer cells' ability to evade the immune system or mutate to become resistant to immunotherapy.[4].

The future of immunotherapy looks promising, with ongoing research aimed at improving the efficacy of existing immunotherapies and developing new ones. One promising area of research is combination immunotherapy, which involves using two or more immunotherapies together to enhance their efficacy. Other areas of research include the development of personalized immunotherapy based on a patient's genetic profile and the use of novel immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, which involves genetically modifying a patient's T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells.[5].

Conclusion

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of cancer, with several immunotherapies approved for the treatment of various cancers. Despite some challenges, on-going research is aimed at improving the efficacy of existing immunotherapies and developing new ones. The future of immunotherapy looks bright, with the potential to transform cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes.

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