Question 1

is it safe to take an antineoplastic chemo pill for the first time if you are alone?

Accepted Answer

See below: I would discuss the side effects with your oncologist and ask them if you will need any personal help.

Question 2

when should immunotherapy be stopped?

Accepted Answer

Discuss w/ allergist: If immunotherapy is successful, maintenance treatment is generally continued for three to five years. The decision to stop immunotherapy should be discussed with your allergist/immunologist after three to five years of treatment. Some individuals may experience lasting remission of their allergy symptoms but others may relapse after discontinuing immunotherapy.

Question 3

how is radio-immunotherapy administered?

Accepted Answer

In steps: Radio-immunotherapy (rit) is given in three steps, all through an iv.  Step 1:  an antibody to b cells alone to clear out some normal b cells.  Step 2:  an antibody to b cells with a small amount of radiation attached, followed by imaging.  Step 3:  a "hot" antibody to b cells with a larger dose of radiation attached.  This acts like a smart bomb to kill cancerous b cells (lymphoma cells).

Question 4

what is venom immunotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Tolerate sting: Venom immunotherapy is a treatment to induce tolerance to insect venom (bee, wasp, hornets) to reduce the risk of severe allergic reaction in a patient with allergic senstivity to the insect venom.

Question 5

does immunotherapy involve antitoxins?

Accepted Answer

Definition: Immunotherapy indicates the use of immunological mechanisms for treatment. Allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) do not include antitoxins.
 Antitoxins are antibodies against toxins and are used whaen toxins are suspected, for example posionous snake bites. This treatment can be called immunotherapy.

Question 6

how effective is immunotherapy for treating leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Still uncertain: At present Immunotherapy is showing much benefit in solid tumors which are lading the way in clinical trials. Such trials are just beginning in Leukemia, so there is no clear data one way or the other/. But it has the potential to be useful like it has already in treating solid cancers like Lung Cancer, Kidney cancer and melanoma.

Question 7

when is it a good idea to do  immunotherapy injections?

Accepted Answer

Any time: Generally, immunotherapy is indicated for folks with allergies that are poorly controlled by conventional medications or for those with significant complications from their allergies like sinusitis and asthma.  It's also a great choice for people who don't want to be  on lots of long term medications.

Question 8

what are the advantages of immunotherapy over chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Theoretical: Theoretically immune-based therapy such as vaccines may have advantages of "conventional" cytotoxic chemotherapies. Until recently, most immunotherapies were not very effective; however, there are now therapies for melanoma & prostate cancer and active research on other cancers. Not all "chemo" is extremely toxic & some immune therapy is (eg, il-2). Advances in all ca tx's are promising.

Question 9

should a person swim in a river after receiving immunotherapy?

Accepted Answer

No difference : The real question is should a person ever swim in a river?  Immunotherapy would have no bearing on this decision.

Question 10

what is the possible advantage that immunotherapy might have over chemo?

Accepted Answer

More info needed: Immunotherapy is most frequently referred to the treatment to induce tolerance to susbtances that produce allergic symptoms. Many new drugs with  effects in the immune system are being called immunotherapy. Chemo refers to drugs affecting cell metabolism and cause their destruction, usually applied to cancer. Chemotherapy needs be compared to newer drugs for each specific condition to be treated.

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Doctor answers about:

Antineoplastic immunotherapy

A member asked:

Is it safe to take an antineoplastic chemo pill for the first time if you are alone?

A member asked:

When should immunotherapy be stopped?

A member asked:

How is radio-immunotherapy administered?

A member asked:

What is venom immunotherapy?

A member asked:

Does immunotherapy involve antitoxins?

A member asked:

How effective is immunotherapy for treating leukemia?

A member asked:

When is it a good idea to do immunotherapy injections?

A member asked:

What are the advantages of immunotherapy over chemotherapy?

A member asked:

Should a person swim in a river after receiving immunotherapy?

A member asked:

What is the possible advantage that immunotherapy might have over chemo?

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