Abstract

THE EVOLUTION OF IMMUNOTHERAPY IN CANCER TREATMENT- BREAKTHROUGHS AND BARRIERS

*Madhuri Sushma Ratnam Koduru, Rashmi Parasa, Angel Sowmya Mandrumaka, Sowjanya Upputhala, Amulya Kara and Padmalatha Kantamaneni

ABSTRACT

Immunotherapy has surfaced as an innovative method in cancer treatment, harnessing the immune system's natural capacity to combat tumors. Recent progress with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 blockers, has demonstrated significant effectiveness in treating cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma, resulting in enhanced survival and lasting responses in certain patients. Moreover, adoptive cell therapies, especially CAR T-cell therapy, have shown encouraging outcomes in blood cancers, and studies are in progress to broaden the application of these therapies to solid tumors while improving their safety and effectiveness. Cancer vaccines and oncologic viruses are being investigated as possible therapeutic and preventive approaches. Even with these achievements, obstacles persist, such as low response rates, immune-related side effects, resistance mechanisms, and the necessity for improved combination therapies. Additionally, the steep prices and restricted availability of these therapies present major obstacles. Tackling these challenges is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. Future studies aim to discover novel therapeutic targets, enhance current treatments, and tailor therapy to boost patient results. 

Keywords: Immunotherapy, Immune checkpoint inhibitors, PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, CAR T-cell therapies, Cancer vaccines, Oncologic viruses, Adverse immune events, Mechanisms of resistance, Combination treatments.