News Desk, News Nation 360 : One innovative method of treating cervical cancer that has shown promise for patients is immunotherapy. Dr Upasana Palo, Associate Consultant in Gynaecologic Oncology at Narayana Hospital RN Tagore Hospital in Mukundapur, discusses the significance of early detection, the impact of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the role of immunotherapy in treating cervical cancer, and recent advancements in cervical cancer therapies. Treatment of cervical cancer is being revolutionized with the introduction of immunotherapy, a form of treatment that enables the body's immune system to identify and combat cancer cells more efficiently than conventional methods such as chemotherapy and radiation. Immunotherapy, in contrast to these conventional treatments, specifically attacks cancer cells without inflicting much harm on healthy tissues. Since the close relationship between cervical cancer and HPV, immunotherapy increases the immune response of the body against viral proteins deposited by HPV, allowing the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells more effectively. More and more, immunotherapy has been combined with other forms of treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery and is very useful in recurrent cervical cancer and holds promise as a first-line therapy. HPV, which is the major aetiology of cervical cancer, is a sexually transmitted disease that may cause alteration in cervical cells, which could progress to cancer, with the high-risk types such as HPV 16 and 18 causing about 70% of cervical cancers. Some of the recent advances in the treatment of cervical cancer are the FDA approval of Pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy agent for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer, and Tisotumab Vedotin (TV), an antibody-drug conjugate that selectively targets cancer cells. New surgical methods and combination therapies, including induction chemotherapy, are also enhancing patient outcomes. Early identification of cervical cancer through periodic screening such as Pap smears and HPV testing is essential since early-stage cervical cancer is easily treatable and even curable. Women must be alert to report abnormal symptoms such as bleeding during periods or after menopause or intercourse, vaginal discharge that is greater than normal or has an offensive odour, pelvic pain, and weight loss. A powerful case study illustrates the promise of immunotherapy: a 49-year-old woman with metastatic recurrent cervical cancer, following initial chemoradiation, experienced complete remission after receiving pembrolizumab and chemotherapy, showcasing the ability of immunotherapy to enhance prognosis and quality of life for advanced cervical cancer patients. These advances, in combination with ongoing research and universal preventive strategies, hold new promise against cervical cancer.
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