Immunotherapy | SunAct - Advanced Cancer Therapies

Therapies

What is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to find and destroy cancer cells by releasing immune "brakes" or adding immune tools that target cancer more effectively. The immune system can sometimes recognize abnormal cells but is held back by inhibitory signals that cancers exploit; immunotherapy restores anti-cancer activity by blocking these signals.

How does Immunotherapy work?

Checkpoint inhibitors block “off switches” like PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 on immune cells, reactivating T-cells to attack cancer cells more effectively. Newer checkpoints like LAG-3 can also be inhibited to reverse T-cell exhaustion and enhance anti-tumor responses.

PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death-1 receptor): Tumors express PD-L1 to bind PD-1 and suppress T-cell activity; inhibiting PD-1 disrupts PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and reactivates T-cells. (Eg: include Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab, Cemiplimab, and Dostarlimab)
PD-L1 (Programmed Death Ligand-1): Blocking PD-L1 removes the cancer’s “don’t attack me” signal, enabling immune recognition and attack. (Eg: Atezolizumab, Durvalumab, and Avelumab)
CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen-4): CTLA-4 is a brake on T-cell activation; inhibition strengthens T-cell responses. (Eg: Ipilimumab)
LAG-3: LAG-3 contributes to T-cell exhaustion; blocking it can restore function and anti-tumor activity. (Eg: Relatlimab)

Benefits

Common side effects and safety

Immune-related effects can involve the skin, gut, liver, lungs, endocrine glands, and other organs. Early reporting of new symptoms is essential for timely treatment, often with steroids or immunosuppressants.
Infusion reactions are uncommon but possible; pre-medication and monitoring protocols are in place during clinic visits.

Treatment journey

Before starting: Evaluation may include scans, blood tests, and biomarker testing (e.g., PD-L1) to guide therapy choice.
During treatment: Regular infusions or injections at defined intervals with periodic imaging and lab monitoring assess response and safety.
After treatment: Follow-up tracks long-term control and manages late or delayed immune effects if they occur.