This therapy,
also known as biotherapy, biological
response modifier therapy or immunotherapy
is one of the newer additions to the weaponry against cancer.
Biological therapy either augments or increases the body's ability
to fight cancer, or decreases the side effects caused by toxic chemotherapy
drugs.
THE WAYS IN WHICH BIOLOGICAL THERAPY ACTS:
Intereferes with cancer cell
growth.
By their indirect action,
these medications increase the ability of the body's cells, particularly
the immune cells, which are actively involved in fighting diseases
like infections and cancers.
These drugs help repair normal
cells damaged by anti cancer chemotherapy drugs.
Biological therapy
employs biological response
modifiers and the common ones used are interferons,
interleukins, or tumor necrosis factor.
Biologic therapy may be combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
What are the side effects of biological therapy?
The side effects commonly encountered with this therapy are as follows:
Low grade fever.
Rashes and bruises.
Nausea and vomiting (usually
mild).
All these problems
disappear on cessation of therapy.
