MHRA Research Explores Immune-Boosting Cancer Therapies to Mitigate Treatment Side Effects
Cancer is a formidable enemy of human health, and while significant progress has been made in developing treatment options over the years, the battle rages on. Notably, chemotherapy is a go-to treatment technique for many cancers, which exploits the destructive power of radiation to eliminate cancerous cells. However, in the process, the radiation also destroys healthy cells, leading to side effects that impact the patient’s quality of life.
In light of this, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is delving into the use of immune-boosting cancer therapies to curb the impact of debilitating side effects during treatments. Immune boosting therapies are not uncommon in the broader field of cancer treatment. However, their application in mitigating treatment-induced side effects is relatively new.
MHRA research shows that the immune system plays a pivotal role in creating a balance between destroying cancer cells and preserving healthy cells. By revving up the immune system, the agency aims to provide a natural defence mechanism against radiation-induced damage to otherwise healthy cells.
The potential of these immune-boosting therapies goes beyond protecting healthy cells to even destroying the cancer cells, leading to the possibility of improving treatment outcomes in the future. Additionally, it opens up the possibility of combining chemotherapy and immune-boosting therapies to increase the effectiveness of treatments further.
Using cancer vaccines as immune-boosting therapies
One of the most promising avenues of immune-boosting therapy is cancer vaccines. Cancer vaccines work by training the immune system to recognise and attack cancerous cells actively. While cancer vaccines have long been a theoretical possibility, several recent clinical trials have shown that they can stimulate the immune system to recognise and eliminate tumours effectively. As a result, cancer vaccines are increasingly emerging as a feasible therapeutic intervention.
Combining standard chemotherapy treatments and immune-boosting therapies
Recently, cancer researchers have been exploring combining different cancer therapies to increase the efficacy of treatments. One such combination is pairing chemotherapy with immunotherapy or immune-boosting therapy. Typically, chemotherapy weakens the immune system, making it easier for cancer to recur. By using immunotherapy as a complementary or supplementary treatment modality, however, the immune system is boosted, leading to improved treatment outcomes. Additionally, using immune-boosting therapies as a supplement to chemotherapy increases the concentration of drugs that can be delivered to cancerous cells without harming healthy cells.
In conclusion, the MHRA’s research into immune-boosting cancer therapies is a welcome development in the fight against cancer. It offers the potential to mitigate treatment-induced side effects and even potentially improve treatment outcomes, bringing hope to the millions of people worldwide battling cancer. Using vaccines and immunotherapy to prevent damage to healthy cells and destroying cancer cells is an innovative approach to treating cancer. The emergence of the immune-boosting therapy as a viable alternative to traditional chemotherapy is a significant breakthrough in the search for more effective cancer treatment. #MHRA #cancertherapies #immunotherapy #chemotherapy #cancervaccines #boostingimmunesystem #HEALTH