Understanding the Immune System’s Defense Mechanism
Our immune system is a formidable defense against various diseases. It operates by identifying foreign particles in our bloodstream, often using cluster designation (CD) markers. These foreign particles, called antigens, trigger our immune response, primarily through the production of antibodies. Antibodies attach to antigens, signaling other immune components like T cells to attack. This immune memory is why we don’t get the same illness twice and why vaccines are effective. In summary, B cells produce antibodies, which attach to antigens, and T cells eliminate the antibody-antigen complexes.
A challenge our immune system faces is distinguishing between what should be in our body and what’s foreign. While it’s easier to identify external threats like viruses or bacteria, internal anomalies such as cancer cells can often evade detection.
Harnessing the Power of the Immune System with CAR-T
We are currently in an era where we’re shifting from traditional chemotherapies to leveraging the body’s immune system. CAR-T and bispecific antibodies are two innovative approaches to achieve this.
CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T) is a groundbreaking method that harnesses the immune system’s natural abilities. It involves using a virus to instruct the immune system to recognize cancer cells. Many cancer cells express CD markers, like CD20 or CD30 in lymphoma or BCMA in myeloma, at higher levels than healthy cells. In CAR-T therapy, the patient’s blood is extracted, and a virus carrying the desired CD marker is introduced. The patient’s immune cells learn to target this marker as if it were a virus. These modified immune cells are then reintroduced into the patient’s body to combat cancer. While this process is complex and requires an extended hospital stay, it’s a one-time procedure.
Enhancing T Cell Interaction with Bispecific Antibodies
Bispecific antibodies work differently by forcing T cells to engage with cancer cells. These antibodies have a Y-shaped structure, with one end binding to a cancer cell and the other to a T cell, promoting their interaction.
Often, CAR-T and bispecific antibodies target the same CD markers. However, bispecific antibody treatments are administered more frequently and are typically outpatient procedures. Any potential toxicities tend to improve after several treatments.
Using the body’s immune system to destroy cancer cells marks a significant shift in oncology care, and this field is expected to advance further with time. The ongoing innovations in this area are very promising.
About the author
Dr. Daniel Landau is a distinguished board-certified hematologist/oncologist renowned for his exceptional contributions in the field. With an illustrious career spanning across esteemed institutions like the Orlando Health Cancer Institute and the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Landau’s expertise shines in both genitourinary oncology and hematology. .
Engage with Dr. Landau’s expertise and ignite your curiosity on “Ask MedOnCMD” as he invites you to explore the vast landscape of oncology with a fresh outlook.