Many ask: can immunotherapy cure stage 4 cancer? Stage 4 cancer spreads to other parts of the body, making treatment tough. But immunotherapy brings new hope by helping your own body fight cancer cells.

It is not a sure cure for everyone, yet stories show it works wonders for some. The KEYNOTE-024 trial (published in New England Journal of Medicine) showed pembrolizumab immunotherapy helped 45% of stage 4 lung cancer patients live longer than chemo, with many surviving years. Indian Journal of Medical Research reviews confirm similar results for melanoma, 20-30% of advanced cases become long-term survivors with drugs like nivolumab.

What is Immunotherapy for Cancer?

Immunotherapy for cancer uses your body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. It boosts or trains immune cells to spot and destroy tumours that normal defences miss. Unlike direct attacks from chemo or radiation, this treatment builds your body’s own power against cancer.

How Does It Work?

Cancer cells trick the immune system by hiding or turning off its fighters. Immunotherapy removes these tricks. Drugs act like keys that unlock immune cells, such as T-cells, to target cancer. Effects can last long after treatment stops, giving lasting protection.

Key types include:

• Checkpoint inhibitors block brakes on immune cells (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1 blockers).
• CAR T-cell therapy engineers your T-cells to hunt cancer.
• Monoclonal antibodies tag cancer for immune attack.
• Cancer vaccines train immunity against tumour markers.
• Cytokines amp up immune signals.

How Is Immunotherapy Done? Simple Steps Explained

People often wonder how is immunotherapy done. It uses your body’s immune system to attack cancer. Doctors give drugs that boost immune cells or train them to spot cancer better.

Here is a quick pointer list on how is immunotherapy done:

• Step 1: Tests like biopsy check if your cancer fits immunotherapy.
• Step 2: Drugs go in via IV drip or injection, often in hospital.
• Step 3: You get scans to track progress over weeks or months.
• Step 4: Side effects like fever or rash are managed with care.

This method feels less harsh than old treatments for many.

Why Use It for Advanced Cancers?

For stage 4 cases, immunotherapy shrinks spread tumours and extends life. It works best with melanoma, lung, kidney, or blood cancers. Trials show durable responses where other treatments fail. Always pair with doctor tests for best fit.

List of Immunotherapy Drugs: Options Available in India

A good list of immunotherapy drugs helps you talk to your doctor. Common ones include:

• Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) for lung and skin cancers.
• Opdivo (Nivolumab) for kidney and head-neck cancers.
• Yervoy (Ipilimumab) often paired with others.
• CAR-T therapies like NexCAR19 for blood cancers.

From this list of immunotherapy drugs, many stage 4 patients see results. But can immunotherapy cure stage 4 cancer? It depends on your cancer type and genes.

Difference Between Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy

Ever confused about the difference between chemotherapy and immunotherapy? Chemotherapy kills fast-growing cells, including healthy ones, causing hair loss and weakness. Immunotherapy targets just cancer, letting your body lead the fight.

Pointers on the difference between chemotherapy and immunotherapy:

• Chemo works fast but hits everywhere.
• Immunotherapy builds long-term defence, with fewer body-wide effects.
• Chemo suits many cancers; immunotherapy shines in advanced melanoma or lung cases.

Read More: 5 Medicinal Plants and Their Uses: Ancient Indian Secrets

Cost of Immunotherapy for Cancer: What to Expect in India

The cost of immunotherapy for cancer worries every family. It varies from tens of thousands to crores per cycle, based on type, hospital, and city. CAR T-Cell therapy tops the list at ₹30 lakhs to ₹60 lakhs or more, personalised and high-end. Monoclonal antibodies like Keytruda cost ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹4 lakhs per cycle. Checkpoint inhibitors can cost ₹80,000 to ₹1.5 lakhs plus per dose.

Cost of immunotherapy for cancer also adds up with scans and stays. Cancer vaccines or cytokines? Around ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakhs per go. Location matters, metros like Mumbai or Delhi charge more than smaller towns.

But help exists! Ayushman Bharat covers some, and patient aid programmes from pharma firms cut bills. The cost of immunotherapy for cancer can feel like a mountain, yet many climb it with support. Check this table for quick facts:

Therapy Type	India Cost Range (per cycle/dose)
CAR T-Cell	₹30 Lakhs – ₹60 Lakhs+
Monoclonal Antibodies	₹1.5 Lakhs – ₹4 Lakhs
Checkpoint Inhibitors	₹80,000 – ₹1.5 Lakhs+
Vaccines/Cytokines	₹50,000 – ₹2 Lakhs

The cost of immunotherapy for cancer weighs heavy on many families, no doubt. It can feel overwhelming when every rupee counts in the fight. Yet insurance and free drug schemes offer real paths to make it possible, many patients find relief this way.​

In India, CAR T-Cell therapy often reaches ₹30 lakhs to ₹60 lakhs or more, while monoclonal antibodies like Keytruda run ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹4 lakhs per cycle. Checkpoint inhibitors start around ₹80,000 to ₹1.5 lakhs plus, and vaccines or cytokines add ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakhs per dose. These numbers add up with hospital stays, scans, and tests, especially in big cities like Mumbai or Delhi. Smaller towns may charge less, giving some breathing room.​

Help is out there to ease the load:

• Ayushman Bharat covers parts for eligible families, up to ₹5 lakhs per year.
• Private insurance from firms like Star Health or ICICI Lombard pays for approved drugs.
• Patient aid programmes from companies like Merck or Bristol Myers Squibb provide free doses or discounts for those in need.
• Hospitals like Tata Memorial run funds for low-income patients.

Talk to your doctor early about these options.

So, Can Immunotherapy Cure Stage 4 Cancer?

Back to the big question: can immunotherapy cure stage 4 cancer? Not always a full cure, but it shrinks tumours and extends life. In lung cancer trials (KEYNOTE-024 study, 2022), 25% of stage 4 patients lived years longer.

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