Biologic therapy is a type of treatment for cancer that uses your body’s own immune system. It’s also known as immunotherapy. It uses medicines that boost certain parts of the immune system. This helps your body fight off cancer cells. The treatments are known as biologic medicines. They help your immune cells recognize and attack the cancer cells. It is mainly used if targeted therapy does not work. Targeted therapy is another kind of treatment done with medicine.
How biologic therapy works
Biologic therapy helps strengthen your body's own immune system. This helps your immune system kill the cancer cells. Biologic therapy works by helping to shrink tumors, slow their growth, and prevent cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. The treatment uses proteins made in a lab. These proteins are also made naturally by your immune system. The proteins are called cytokines.
Types of biologic therapy
Biologic therapy may be given as pills, by injection, or through an IV. There are the 2 main cytokines used in biologic therapy:
Interferon alpha
Interleukin-2
Biologic therapy may be given after surgery. Or it may be given along with other treatments. Interferon alpha is most often given with another medicine called bevacizumab. Interleukin-2 only works in a small number of people, but gives longer-lasting effects when it works.
Low or moderate doses may give given as outpatient therapy. This means you don’t need to stay overnight in a hospital. High doses may work better for some people. High-dose therapy is given in a hospital with experience using the treatment.
Biologic therapy side effects
Like most types of cancer treatment, biologic therapy causes side effects. Some can be severe. They usually get better after the treatment ends. Side effects of depend on the type and amount of medicines you’re taking. They vary from person to person.
Possible side effects include:
Appetite loss
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headaches, muscle aches, joint aches, or bone pain
Redness, swelling, or discomfort at the injection site
Nausea and vomiting
Skin rash or dryness
Taste changes or metallic taste in mouth
Less urination
Weight gain
Serious side effects can include:
Changes in mental function
Low blood pressure
Diarrhea
Pain in the belly (abdomen)
Chills with a high fever
Extreme tiredness
Fast heartbeat
Other severe side effects are possible, such as:
Heart attack
Bleeding in the intestines
Buildup of fluid in the lungs
Trouble breathing
Damage to the kidneys
In rare cases, some of these side effects can be fatal. Because of the risk of severe side effects, biologic therapy is used to treat kidney cancer only in people who are in good overall health and can cope with the difficult treatment.
While you’re on biologic therapy
It may be helpful to keep a diary of your side effects. Write down physical, thinking, and emotional changes. A written list will make it easier for you to remember your questions when you go to your appointments. It will also make it easier for you to work with your medical team to make a plan to manage your side effects.
Talking with your health care provider
Make sure to talk with your health care provider about these medicines and their affects. He or she will discuss the risks and benefits with you.