Pancreatic Cancer Biotherapy/Immunotherapy

Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: Biotherapy/Immunotherapy

We at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) believe that pancreatic cancer treatment is complemented by first understanding, then utilizing, your body's own natural power of protection, known as the immune system. Immunotherapy (also referred to as biological therapy, biotherapy or biological response modifier therapy) uses your immune system—either directly or indirectly—to fight pancreatic cancer or to lessen the side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.

When the immune system breaks down or is not functioning adequately, cancer may develop. Biotherapy/immunotherapy is designed to repair, stimulate or enhance your body’s own immune responses. CTCA uses pancreatic cancer treatments such as interferon and colony stimulating factors, either alone or in conjunction with other treatment modalities, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Biotherapy may be used to:

1. Stop, control or suppress processes that permit pancreatic cancer growth
2. Make pancreatic cancer cells easier for your immune system to identify and, therefore, more susceptible to destruction
3. Boost the killing power of immune system cells, such as T-cells, NK-cells and macrophages
4. Alter pancreatic cancer cells' growth patterns to promote behavior similar to that of healthy cells
5. Block or reverse the process that changes a normal or precancerous cell into a cancerous cell
6. Enhance your natural ability to repair or replace normal cells damaged or destroyed by other forms of pancreatic cancer treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation)
7. Prevent pancreatic cancer cells from metastasizing or spreading to other parts of your body

Next Topic: Complementary Therapies For Pancreatic Cancer