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Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Chemotherapy vs. Immunotherapy: Comparing effectiveness, side effects, and cancer treatment outcomes
Maintaining clear knowledge about cancer treatments is crucial for both patients and caregivers. Two of the most widely used approaches today are chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While both aim to control and eliminate cancer, they do so through fundamentally different mechanisms. Chemotherapy, in use for several decades, targets rapidly dividing cells—both cancerous and healthy—whereas immunotherapy represents a more recent breakthrough that harnesses the body's immune system to attack tumours naturally. This article explains how each treatment works, when they are used, their side effects, costs, and how they sometimes work together. The goal is to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date overview without any opinions—just clear facts based on current medical understanding. How chemotherapy works and when it is used in cancer treatment According to the Cancer Research Institute , chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cells that multiply quickly. This includes cancer cells but also healthy cells such as those in hair follicles, the gastrointestinal tract, and bone marrow. It relies on a cytotoxic effect that interferes with cell division or metabolism. Chemotherapy has historically been a first-line treatment for many cancers, including breast, lung, blood cancers, and others. Chemotherapy is administered in cycles over weeks or months, depending on the type and stage of cancer. It works systemically, meaning it can reach cancer cells throughout the body, making it useful for metastatic disease. For example, lung cancer and lymphoma are frequently treated with chemotherapy either alone or in combination with other therapies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What is immunotherapy and where it fits in for cancer treatment Immunotherapy does not directly attack cancer cells. Instead, it helps the immune system recognise and destroy tumours. Several forms are available today: Checkpoint inhibitors, which block proteins like PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4, allow T-cells to attack tumours. CAR T‑cell therapy, including genetically modified T-cells tailored to recognise specific tumour antigens. Cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate an immune response against tumour-specific proteins. Cytokine therapy uses signalling molecules like interleukins to boost immune function. Oncolytic virus therapy, engineered viruses that kill cancer cells and trigger immunity. As per Cancer Research Institute , Immunotherapy is often used for cancers known to respond well, such as melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, certain lymphomas, and gastrointestinal tumours. It can be applied in advanced or metastatic stages or, increasingly, earlier in treatment plans. Recent regulatory approvals cover multiple cancers based on biomarkers like PD-L1 expression and microsatellite instability. Chemotherapy vs. Immunotherapy : Key differences in mechanism and effectiveness The main distinction lies in how the treatments target cancer: Chemotherapy directly attacks dividing cells, regardless of whether they are malignant or not. This leads to quick tumour shrinkage but also affects healthy tissues. Immunotherapy engages the immune system to fight cancer more selectively. It may take longer to produce measurable results, but in some cases, it provides durable remission. Effectiveness depends on tumour type, stage, and biomarker presence. For example, checkpoint inhibitors have shown significant long-term survival benefits in melanoma and lung cancer. However, immunotherapy is not universally effective: tumours lacking specific markers, or with low immune infiltration, may respond poorly. Combining Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy: Synergistic benefits Recent research shows that using both treatments together—known as chemoimmunotherapy—can improve outcomes for several hard-to-treat cancers. Chemotherapy may expose tumour antigens and modify the tumour microenvironment, making it easier for immune cells to act. Meanwhile, immunotherapy continues the attack. The combination is FDA-approved for cancers such as certain lung, head and neck, gastrointestinal cancers, and triple-negative breast cancer. Patients often experience better response rates and reduced drug resistance compared to using either therapy alone. Side effect profiles of immunotherapy and chemotherapy: What patients should expect Because of their different mechanisms, these treatments produce distinct side effects: Chemotherapy can cause hair loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anaemia, immune suppression, mouth sores, nerve damage, and weight changes. These are often intense but may resolve after treatment ends. Immunotherapy may result in overactivation of the immune system, leading to inflammation in organs such as the lungs (pneumonitis), liver (hepatitis), colon (colitis), as well as flu-like symptoms, fatigue, skin reactions, or hormonal imbalance if endocrine glands are affected. Long-term monitoring is needed. Response time and duration of treatment Chemotherapy typically involves multiple treatment cycles and shows rapid effects, with measurable tumour reduction after a few weeks. Immunotherapy, particularly in advanced cancers, may have a delayed onset but can provide sustained responses extending for months or years. Maintenance treatment may also continue as immune surveillance. Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy costs and accessibility Treatment costs vary greatly. Chemotherapy is generally less expensive, especially in resource-limited settings. In India, a full course may range between Rs 50,000 and Rs 2,00,000 per cycle. Immunotherapy, being more complex and newer, is costlier—often Rs 2,50,000 to Rs 5,00,000 per cycle in such locations. Financial assistance or insurance coverage may be available. Effectiveness based on cancer type The success of each treatment depends significantly on cancer type: Immunotherapy shows outstanding results in MSI‑High colorectal cancer, with significantly better survival compared to chemotherapy. Studies show up to a 43% reduction in mortality risk in MSI‑High patients using immunotherapy. However, effectiveness in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer remains modest. Pembrolizumab, a checkpoint inhibitor, led to complete responses in 59% of certain stage 2 or 3 bowel cancer patients before surgery, versus less than 5% using traditional chemotherapy. Patients with early-stage lung cancer treated with immunotherapy plus chemotherapy have seen survival improvements of nearly four months on average, compared to chemotherapy alone. Chemotherapy vs. Immunotherapy: Side-by-side comparison Feature Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Mechanism Direct cell-killing, non-selective Immune system activation, tumour-specific Onset of action Rapid tumour shrinkage Slower response, potentially long-lasting Side effects Hair loss, nausea, and immune suppression Immune-related inflammation, fatigue, skin issues Duration Fixed cycles over weeks/months Fewer treatments over months or years Cost Relatively lower Significantly higher per cycle Effective cancers Many solid and blood cancers Melanoma, lung, bladder, MSI-H colorectal, lymphoma Understanding the differences between immunotherapy and chemotherapy is important for treatment planning. Chemotherapy remains a fast and reliable option in many cancers, while immunotherapy offers a new era of personalised treatment with potentially lasting benefits. In some cases, combining both leads to the best outcomes. Each therapy comes with its risks, costs, and suitability profile. Ultimately, treatment decisions should be made by oncologists in consultation with patients, based on cancer type, biomarkers, overall health status, and patient preferences.
CNBC
23-07-2025
- Health
- CNBC
Healthy Returns: Researchers move closer to a universal cancer vaccine
A universal cancer vaccine – what once seemed like a pipe dream – may be inching closer to becoming reality. On Friday, University of Florida researchers said findings from a new study could lead to the development of a universal shot that can jumpstart the immune system to fight cancer. The study in mice, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, showed that an experimental mRNA vaccine boosted the tumor-fighting effects of a common cancer drug called immune checkpoint inhibitors. The vaccine is not designed for a specific virus or cancer cells, but engineered to "wake up" the immune system against the disease, "spurring it to respond as if fighting a virus," according to a UF release. "What we found is by using a vaccine designed not to target cancer specifically but rather to stimulate a strong immunologic response, we could elicit a very strong anticancer reaction," Dr. Duane Mitchell, a co-author of the study and professor of neurosurgery at the university's College of Medicine, said in the release. That's unlike current approaches to cancer vaccines, which involve finding a target expressed by many cancer patients or, in the case of Moderna and Merck, developing personalized vaccines tailored to each patient's specific tumor. The universal vaccine has the potential to be used broadly across cancer patients, "even possibly leading us to an off-the-shelf cancer vaccine," Mitchell said. The UF researchers are still working to replicate the findings in humans. If they do, a one-size-fits-all vaccine could provide an alternative to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Here's how the vaccine works: The mRNA shot essentially tells the body to produce certain proteins that stimulate the immune system, including one called PD-L1, which is often found on the surface or inside of cancer cells. Those cells often use PD-L1 to hide from immune attacks. But by boosting PD-L1, the vaccine can actually make tumors more vulnerable to immune checkpoint inhibitors that block that protein, helping the immune system recognize and destroy the cancer. The study showed promising results on treatment-resistant tumors in skin cancers by combining the mRNA vaccine with a monoclonal antibody, a common immunotherapy drug that attempts to alert the immune system that a tumor is foreign and should be attacked. It also showed positive results when tested on mouse skin, bone and brain cancers as a solo treatment. In some cases, the tumors were eliminated entirely. "This paper describes a very unexpected and exciting observation: that even a vaccine not specific to any particular tumor or virus – so long as it is an mRNA vaccine – could lead to tumor-specific effects," said senior author Dr. Elias Sayour, a UF Health pediatric oncologist, in a release. Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at We're just days away from the peak of digital health earnings season, and this quarter is sure to be an interesting one. The two companies that went public earlier this year, Hinge Health and Omada Health, will report results for the first time since their debut. And since President Donald Trump's tax-and-spending bill passed and his Aug. 1 tariff deadline is approaching, we'll get some insight into how digital health companies have been operating against a volatile macroeconomic and policy backdrop. Here are some of the reports CNBC will be watching for: Hinge Health – Aug. 5 Omada Health – Aug. 7 Hims & Hers Health – Aug. 4 Doximity – Aug. 7 Teladoc Health – July 29 We'll have plenty to dive into in the coming weeks, so be sure to keep up with CNBC's coverage. Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Ashley at
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jefferies Maintains Buy Rating on Accuray Stock, Keeps PT at $4.5
Accuray Incorporated (NASDAQ:ARAY) is one of the . On June 9, Jefferies maintained a Buy rating on Accuray, with a price target of $4.5. Young Li from Jefferies maintained a Buy rating on the stock, citing the company's strategic initiatives and market positioning. Li remains positive about the way Accuray is handling tariff challenges and commends its strong foundation in the Chinese market. Li cited its recent exchange of convertible notes as a catalyst for its financial position. On June 6, the company entered into a new senior secured credit agreement, removing its 'financial overhang' and improving its financial flexibility. A researcher in a lab coat analyzing the effects of PD-L1 on GITR Expressing Cells to advance the targeted oncology. After achieving a 12% year-over-year revenue growth in Q3 FY2025, Accuray expects revenue in the range of $121 million to $129 million. Whereas, the adjusted EBITDA is projected to be in the range of $9.5 million to $12 million. Both revenue and EBITDA guidance are well ahead of the results in Q3, indicating robust growth in both developed and emerging markets. Accuray Incorporated (NASDAQ:ARAY) offers unique radiation treatments to meet patient needs. The company is focused on developing innovative solutions for oncology and neuro-radiosurgery. While we acknowledge the potential of ARAY as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Merck Gets FDA Approval to Expand Use of Its Top-Selling Drug, Keytruda
Merck has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to expand use of its blockbuster drug, Keytruda, to treat head and neck cancers. Studies found patients taking Keytruda can reduce the risk of head and neck cancer recurrence, progression, or death by 30% compared to current treatments. Keytruda is Merck's best-selling drug, generating more than $7 billion in revenue in the first (MRK) has received the go-ahead to expand use of its blockbuster cancer drug, Keytruda. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Keytruda's use for adults with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma whose tumors express the protein PD-L1. The study's overall principal investigator, Dr. Ravindra Uppaluri, said the approval "represents a potentially significant shift in how we manage this disease." Dr. Uppaluri added Keytruda "has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence, progression, or death by 30%, compared with standard of care adjuvant chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone." Merck noted that it's estimated that in 2025, there will be approximately 72,680 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed, and more than 16,680 deaths from the disease. Keytruda is the company's best-selling drug, with first-quarter revenue of $7.2 billion, making up nearly half of its total sales. Entering Friday trading, shares of Merck were down about 18% year-to-date. Read the original article on Investopedia Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malaysian Reserve
11-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Kelun-Biotech Announces Breakthrough Therapy Designation Granted for Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT) in Combination With Tagitanlimab in China for Certain Types of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
CHENGDU, China, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (the 'Company') today announced that its TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) (佳泰莱®) in combination with the PD-L1 monoclonal antibody tagitanlimab (科泰莱®) was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without actionable genomic alterations. Breakthrough Therapy Designation is granted for treatment options that demonstrate significant clinical advantages over currently available treatments and is aimed at expediting the research, development and marketing of innovative treatment options that address clinically urgent medical needs. This designation is based on the efficacy and safety data from the non-squamous cohort of the Phase II OptiTROP-Lung01 study. This marks the fifth Breakthrough Therapy Designation granted to sac-TMT by the NMPA. Sac-TMT has previously received this designation for: Locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in July 2022; EGFR-mutant, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after progression on EGFR-TKI therapy in January 2023; Locally advanced or metastatic hormone-receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer (BC) in patients who have previously received at least two lines of systemic chemotherapy in June 2023； First-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic PD-L1 negative TNBC in March 2024. Results from a Phase 2 OptiTROP-Lung01 study of sac-TMT in combination with tagitanlimab in first-line advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC patients were presented in a poster session at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting[1]. Dr. Michael Ge, CEO of Kelun-Biotech said, 'This designation by the NMPA highlights the importance of developing novel therapeutic options for diverse NSCLC subtypes. Sac-TMT in combination with tagitanlimab demonstrated clinically meaningful outcomes in key endpoints for patients with non-squamous NSCLC without actionable genomic alterations as a first-line treatment. We are excited about the therapeutic potential of TROP2 ADC- immunotherapy combinations, and we look forward to working with regulatory authorities in China to bring this combination therapy to patients in need as soon as possible.' [1] Abstract #8529: Lung Cancer – Non-Small Cell Metastatic, ASCO Annual Meeting, 2025 About sac-TMT (佳泰莱®)Sac-TMT, a core product of the Company, is a novel human TROP2 ADC in which the Company has proprietary intellectual property rights, targeting advanced solid tumors such as NSCLC, BC, gastric cancer (GC), gynecological tumors, among others. Sac-TMT is developed with a novel linker to conjugate the payload, a belotecan-derivative topoisomerase I inhibitor with a drug-to-antibody-ratio (DAR) of 7.4. Sac-TMT specifically recognizes TROP2 on the surface of tumor cells by recombinant anti-TROP2 humanized monoclonal antibodies, which is then endocytosed by tumor cells and releases KL610023 intracellularly. KL610023, as a topoisomerase I inhibitor, induces DNA damage to tumor cells, which in turn leads to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, it also releases KL610023 in the tumor microenvironment. Given that KL610023 is membrane permeable, it can enable a bystander effect, or in other words kill adjacent tumor cells. In May 2022, the Company licensed the exclusive rights to MSD (the tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA) to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize sac-TMT in all territories outside of Greater China (includes Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). To date, two indications for sac-TMT have been approved and marketed in China for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received at least two prior systemic therapies (at least one of them for advanced or metastatic setting) and EGFR mutation-positive locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC following progression on EGFR-TKI therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. Sac-TMT became the first domestic ADC with global intellectual property rights to be fully approved for marketing. It is also the world's first TROP2 ADC to be approved for marketing in a lung cancer indication. In addition, two new indication applications for sac-TMT for the treatment of adult patients with EGFR-mutant locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who progressed after treatment with EGFR-TKI therapy and with unresectable locally advanced, metastatic HR+/HER2- BC who have received prior endocrine therapy and other systemic treatments in the advanced or metastatic setting were accepted by the CDE, and were included in the priority review and approval process. As of today, the Company has initiated 8 registrational clinical studies in China. MSD has initiated 14 ongoing Phase 3 global clinical studies of sac-TMT as a monotherapy or with pembrolizumab2 or other agents for several types of cancer. These studies are sponsored and led by MSD. About Tagitanlimab (科泰莱®)Tagitanlimab is the first PD-L1 mAb globally to receive authorization for the first-line treatment of NPC. Previously, the NMPA has approved the marketing in China of tagitanlimab used in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine for the first-line treatment of patients with R/M NPC and monotherapy for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic NPC who have failed after prior 2L+ chemotherapy, respectively. About Kelun-BiotechKelun-Biotech ( is a holding subsidiary of Kelun Pharmaceutical ( which focuses on the R&D, manufacturing, commercialization and global collaboration of innovative biological drugs and small molecule drugs. The company focuses on major disease areas such as solid tumors, autoimmune, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases, and in establishing a globalized drug development and industrialization platform to address the unmet medical needs in China and the rest of world. The Company is committed to becoming a leading global enterprise in the field of innovative drugs. At present, the Company has more than 30 ongoing key innovative drug projects, of which 3 projects have been approved for marketing, 1 project is in the NDA stage, and more than 10 projects are in the clinical stage. The company has established one of the world's leading proprietary ADC platforms, OptiDC™, and has 1 ADC project approved for marketing, 1 ADC project in NDA stage, and multiple ADC and novel DC assets in clinical or preclinical research stage. For more information, please visit Media: klbio_pr@
