A Review of Immune Therapy in Cancer and a Question: Can Thermal Therapy Increase Tumor Response?

A Review of Immune Therapy in Cancer and a Question: Can Thermal Therapy Increase Tumor Response? Int J Hyperthermia. 2017 Oct 04;:1-35 Authors: Bull JMC Abstract Immune therapy is a successful cancer treatment coming into its own. This is because checkpoint molecules, adoptive specific lymphocyte transfer, and CAR-T therapy are able to induce more responses and more durable responses in an increasing number of malignancies compared to chemotherapy. In addition, immune therapies are able to treat bulky disease, whereas standard cytotoxic therapies cannot treat large tumor burdens. Checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibodies are becoming widely used in the clinic; and although more complex, adoptive lymphocyte transfer and CAR-T therapies show promise. We are learning that there are nuances to predicting the successful use of the checkpoint inhibitors as well as to specific-antigen adoptive and CAR-T therapies. We are also newly aware of a here-to-fore unrealized natural force, the status of the microbiome. However, despite better understanding of mechanisms of action of the new immune therapies, the best responses to the new immune therapies remain 20-30%. Likely the best way to improve this somewhat low response rate for patients is to increase the patient's own immune response. Thermal therapy is a way to do this. All forms of thermal therapy, from fever-range systemic thermal therapy, to high-temperature HIFU, and even cryotherapy ...
Source: International Journal of Hyperthermia - Category: Internal Medicine Tags: Int J Hyperthermia Source Type: research