Blood Cancer Treatment

• Definition: A type of cancer treatment that boosts the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.

How It Works:

• Helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
• Enhances the body's natural defenses against tumors.

Types of Immunotherapy:

• Checkpoint Inhibitors: Block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer (e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4 inhibitors).
• Monoclonal Antibodies: Lab-made proteins that target cancer cells or immune checkpoints.
• Cancer Vaccines: Stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells.
• T-Cell Therapy (CAR-T Cell Therapy): Genetically modifies a patient's T-cells to target cancer.
• Cytokine Therapy: Uses proteins like interleukins and interferons to enhance immune response.

• Definition: A medical procedure that replaces damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells to restore blood cell production.

Purpose:

• Treats conditions affecting bone marrow, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and aplastic anemia.
• Helps restore the immune system after high-dose chemotherapy or radiation.

Types of Bone Marrow Transplant:

• Autologous Transplant: Uses the patient's own stem cells.
• Allogeneic Transplant: Uses stem cells from a compatible donor (sibling, unrelated donor, or umbilical cord blood).
• Haploidentical Transplant: Uses partially matched donor cells (often a family member).
• Syngeneic Transplant: Uses stem cells from an identical twin.