Immunotherapy For Prostate Cancer – A Beacon Of Hope

Like all cancers, prostate cancer in the male reproductive system is a terrifying diagnosis causing profound emotional turmoil. This illness severely impacts the mind and the physical body. Both patients and their loved ones may experience excessive uncertainty, dread, and anxiety accompanying it.

While the road may be long and challenging, there is a glimmer of hope for people to overcome the odds and defeat this illness. Thanks to recent developments in medical science, one potential treatment that can significantly improve the lives of men with prostate cancer is Immunotherapy.

“Immunotherapy presents a hopeful strategy in treating prostate cancer by utilizing the body’s own immune system to combat cancer cells,” says renowned oncologist Dr. Sridhar PS.

This blog will discuss the symptoms, Immunotherapy procedures, and pre and post-operative guidelines.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer develops when the cells in the prostate gland start multiplying and dividing uncontrolled and form a tumor.

Prostate cancer symptoms can vary, but some typical signs include:

• trouble urinating
• frequent urination
• a weak or interrupted urine flow
• blood in the semen or urine
• discomfort or pain when ejaculating
• discomfort or pain in the pelvic region
• bone pain, usually in the leg

“Some men may not have any symptoms at all if they have early-stage prostate cancer,” says Dr. Sridhar PS, a well-known Radiation Oncologist in India. “Therefore, it is crucial for men to undergo routine prostate cancer examinations to identify any possible problems early on.”

Let us look at the various kinds of Immunotherapy for prostate cancer.

Types of Immunotherapy for prostate cancer

Immunotherapy is the administration of medications to help the body’s immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells more efficiently.

There are various types of immunotherapy treatment for prostate cancer, such as:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are medications that inhibit specific immune cell proteins to enhance the immune system’s response to cancer cells.

CAR-T cell therapy:

In this personalized therapy, immune cells are taken from the patient’s blood, modified to target prostate cancer cells, and then reinfused into the patient.

Cytokine therapy:

This therapy increases the immune system’s response to cancer cells by using specific proteins known as cytokines.

Cancer vaccines:

Prostate cancer vaccine sipuleucel-T (Provenge) encourages the immune system to identify and combat cancer cells. Sipuleucel-T vaccine is custom-made for each patient, often using a particular protein residing on prostate cancer cells.

“Over the past 30 years, more than 175 clinical trials have been carried out to evaluate antitumor vaccinations as prostate cancer treatments,” adds Dr. Sridhar PS, an experienced immunotherapy doctor in India. ”Sipuleucel-T is the only vaccination approved by the FDA as a treatment for advanced prostate cancer so far.”

Immunotherapy and prostate cancer

Immunotherapy for prostate cancer is a promising therapeutic option since it uses the immune system’s capacity to target and eliminate cancer cells. This action potentially results in long-term remission and better patient quality of life.

“Immunotherapy has the ability to “train” the immune system to recognize cancer cells,” explains cancer expert Dr. Sridhar PS. “This so-called “Immunomemory” may lead to more robust and perhaps long-lasting defense against cancer recurrence.”

Immunotherapy – Pre and post-operative care

Immunotherapy is not a surgical but a systemic treatment. Pre-operative care includes evaluating the patient’s general health and keeping an eye out for any potential adverse effects.

In addition to managing any side effects, evaluating the patient’s reaction to therapy and addressing any other ongoing care requirements associated with prostate cancer may all be a part of post-operative care.

In brief, care for Immunotherapy includes:

• mentioning any sensitivities or drugs to the doctor
• maintaining hydration both before and after the treatment
• keeping an eye out for any symptoms of unfavorable reactions, such as fever, chills, or breathing difficulties
• maintaining follow-up appointments to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment

“Patients should be in constant contact with their medical team throughout the treatment course,” advises expert radiation oncologist Dr. Sridhar PS.

Cost of Immunotherapy for prostate cancer

The cost of Immunotherapy for prostate cancer in India ranges from 1,50,000 to 4,55,000 rupees ($1,830 to $5,550) for each session.

However, prices might vary depending on several elements, including:

• Location
• Infrastructure and amenities in the hospital
• The expertise of the oncology specialist
• Type of Therapy
• The overall health of the patient

If you or a loved one is considering Immunotherapy for prostate cancer, please visit Dr. Sridhar PS for a proper assessment and get the estimated cost of treatment.

 Dr. Sridhar PS is a highly-skilled oncologist and among the preferred experts for people seeking cancer treatments, including CyberKnife treatment in India.

FAQs

Q. How does prostate cancer immunotherapy function?

A. Immunotherapy either involves injecting immune system components that can specifically target cancer cells or activating the immune system to attack cancer cells.

Q. What adverse reactions might Immunotherapy for prostate cancer cause?

A. Fatigue, flu-like symptoms, skin rashes, and diarrhea are possible adverse effects of Immunotherapy for prostate cancer.

Q. How long is the course of Immunotherapy for prostate cancer?

A. The length of immunotherapy treatment for prostate cancer can vary depending on the patient’s reaction to treatment and the specific Immunotherapy being utilized.

Q. How long should I continue Immunotherapy for cancer?

A. Immunotherapy for metastatic disease patients responding to the treatment can continue for up to two years. However, if the patient has disease progression or significant toxicity, they should discontinue the medication. Please consult an oncology expert if you have any concerns about the therapy.