Immunotherapy is a treatment for some types of cancer.
How immunotherapy works
Immunotherapy can either:
- use your immune system to find and kill cancer cells
- boost your immune system and help it work better to fight cancer cells
When you might have immunotherapy to treat cancer
Your healthcare team may recommend treatment with immunotherapy.
This can depend on:
- if your cancer has changes in certain proteins or genes
- your overall health
- the type of cancer you have
- any treatment you have had already
- how far your cancer has spread (the stage)
- your consent and wishes
You may have immunotherapy with other treatments or on its own.
Tests to check if you can have immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a personalised medicine. It is tailored to you and your cancer.
You may have tests to check if immunotherapy is likely to work for you.
These tests check for changes in certain proteins, genes or chromosomes. But they are not needed for all types of immunotherapy.
Even if your results show this treatment may work it does not mean it will always work.
Types of immunotherapy
There are many types of immunotherapy. Some types are also a type of targeted therapy
The main types of immunotherapy medicines include:
- checkpoint inhibitors
- immune system modulators
- monoclonal antibodies (MABS)
- cancer vaccines
- adoptive cell transfer, for example CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) therapy
Your healthcare team can discuss the different types with you. You may have tests to check which type is best for you.
Deciding to have chemotherapy
Your healthcare team will talk to you about the treatment options they think is best for you. But the final decision is yours.
Deciding to have cancer treatment
Routine tests and checks
You'll have tests:
- before treatment to check your general health
- during treatment to check your progress
Getting immunotherapy
There are different ways you can be given immunotherapy. Your doctor will explain them to you and recommend what is best.
Depending on what type you get, your healthcare team will tell you where you need to go for treatment.
You may have treatment:
- in hospital - your doctor will tell you if you can go home after treatment or if you need to stay overnight
- in a clinic that is close to your home
- at home
You may also be given medicine to prevent or treat side effects.
How long treatment is for
How long you'll need treatment and how often can vary from person to person.
Ask your healthcare team about the number of cycles you need to treat the cancer.
How long cancer treatment is for
Side effects
The side effects of immunotherapy depend on the type of immunotherapy. It can be different for everyone.
Because immunotherapy acts on the immune system, it can cause inflammation in any part of your body.
Side effects of immunotherapy may not happen straight away. They can start many weeks or months after your treatment ends.
If you have side effects
Tell your healthcare team if you have any side effects from any cancer medicine treatment.
They may be able to give you medicines to prevent or treat some side effects.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or phone your SOS hotline if:
- you are concerned about side effects or symptoms
During evenings or weekends, you can contact your local GP out-of-hours service.
Report side effects
You can report any suspected side effects to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Taking other medicines
Check with your care team before you take any other medicines.
This includes:
- medicines you are prescribed by your GP
- medicines you buy from a pharmacy
- herbal remedies
Other medicines could affect how well immunotherapy works. They may cause dangerous side effects.
How to find out more about your medicines
To get detailed information about a specific medicine:
- ask your care team for information
- check your patient information leaflet
Deciding to stop treatment
Talk to your care team if you're thinking of stopping treatment. For example if you are struggling with side effects.
Your team can give you advice about the benefits of continuing with treatment.
But the final decision to continue or stop is yours.
Clinical trials
Scientists and researchers are finding out more about how personalised medicines like immunotherapy can treat cancer.
You may be able to get immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial for cancer.
Ask your care team if there are clinical trials available for your type of cancer.
Help and support
Ask your treatment team about:
- what this type of treatment involves
- worries you have
- about supports you can get or apply for
Help and support you can get if you or someone you care for has cancer
