Cancer Facts from the National Cancer Institute

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Biological therapy (sometimes called immunotherapy, biotherapy or biological response modifier therapy) is a new addition to the family of cancer treatments that also includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Biological therapies use the body's immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer or to lessen the side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.

The immune system is a complex network of cells and organs that work together to defend the body against attacks by foreign or "non-self" invaders. This network is one of the body's main defenses against disease.

Cancer may develop when the immune system breaks down or is not functioning adequately. Biological therapies are designed to repair, stimulate or enhance the immune system's response.

Immune systems cells include the following:
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell found in the blood and many other parts of the body. Types of lymphocytes include B-cells, T-cells and Natural Killer cells.

B-cells (B-lymphocytes) mature into plasma cells that secrete antibodies, the proteins that recognize and attach to foreign substances known as antigens. Each type of B-cell makes one specific antibody, which recognizes one specific antigen.

T-cells (T - lymphocytes) directly attack infected, foreign or cancerous cells. T-cells also regulate the immune response by signaling other immune system defenders.

Natural Killer cells (NK cells) produce powerful chemical substances that bind to and kill any foreign invader. They attack without first having to recognize a specific antigen.

Biologic Response Modifiers
Some antibiodies, cytokines, and other immune system substances can be produced in the laboratory for use in cancer treatment. These substances are often called biological response modifiers. They alter the interaction between the body's immune defenses and cancer cells to boost, direct or restore the body's ability to fight the disease. Biological Response Modifiers include interferons, interleukines, colony-stimulating factors, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines.

Biological response Modifiers may be used to:

Stop, control or suppress processes that permit cancer growth;
Make cancer cells more recognizable and more susceptible to destruction by the immune system;
Boost the killing power of immune system cells, such as T-cells, NK cells and macrophages:
Alter cancer cells' growth patterns to promote behavior like that of healthy cells;
Block or reverse the process that canges a normal cell or a precancerous cell into a cancerous cell;
Enhance the body's ability to repair or replace normal cells damaged or destroyed by other forms of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation;
Prevent cancer cells from spreading to other parts of the body.

Biological Response Modifiers are still being studied in clinical trials but are being used alone or combination with other treatments.

Side Effects Like other forms of cancer treatment, biological therapies can cause a number of side effects, which can vary widely from patient to patient. Some of the side effects include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, rash, muscle aches and blood pressure changes.

For further information regarding if Biological Response Modifiers please ask your MD at your next physician visit or go to the National Cancer Institute's Web site at http://cancer.gov

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