8. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy (also called biologic therapy or
biotherapy) is a type of cancer treatment designed to
boost the body's natural defenses to fight the cancer.
It uses materials either made by the body or in a
laboratory to improve, target, or restore immune
system function.
9. Mechanism of action
o Although it is not entirely clear how immunotherapy
treats cancer, it may work by
Stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells.
Stopping cancer from spreading to other parts of the
body, or
Helping the immune system increase its effectiveness
at eliminating cancer cells.
10. Monoclonal antibodies
When the body’s immune system detects antigens
(harmful substances, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi,
or parasites), it produces antibodies (proteins that
fight infection).
Monoclonal antibodies are made in a laboratory, and
when they are given to patients, they act like the
antibodies the body produces naturally.
11. Goals
When monoclonal antibodies attach to a cancer cell,
they may accomplish the following goals:
1. Allow the immune system to destroy the cancer
cell.
2. Prevent cancer cells from growing rapidly.
3. Deliver radiation directly to cancer cells.
4. Diagnose cancer.
5. Carry powerful drugs directly to cancer cells.
20. Non-specific immunotherapy's
Like monoclonal antibodies, non-specific
immunotherapy's also help the immune system
destroy cancer cells. Most non-specific
immunotherapy's are given after or at the same time as
another cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or
radiation therapy. However, some non-specific
immunotherapy's are given as the main cancer
treatment.
21. Interferon
Interferons help the immune system fight cancer and may
slow the growth of cancer cells. An interferon made in a
laboratory, called interferon alpha is the most common
type of interferon used in cancer treatment
22. Interleukins
Interleukins help the immune system produce cells
that destroy cancer. An interleukin made in a
laboratory, called interleukin-2 is used to treat kidney
cancer and skin cancer, including melanoma.
24. Prevention vaccine
A prevention vaccine is given to a person with no
symptoms of cancer to prevent the development of a
specific type of cancer or another cancer-related
disease.
27. Treatment vaccine
A treatment vaccine helps the body's immune system
fight cancer by training it to recognize and destroy
cancer cells. It may prevent cancer from coming back,
eliminate any remaining cancer cells after other types
of treatment, or stop cancer cell growth.
29. DEFINITION
A bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure in
which diseased bone marrow is replaced by highly
specialized stem cells that develop into healthy bone
marrow.
30. TYPES OF BMT
Allogeneic (from a donor other than the patient): either a
related donor (i.e., family member)
38. Nursing management in bone marrow
transplantation
Implementing pre transplantation care:-
Nutritional assessments,
Extensive physical examinations
Organ function tests
Psychological evaluations are conducted
Blood tests (hepatitis virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex
virus, HIV, and syphilis).
Informed consent and patient teaching about the procedure and
pre transplantation and post transplantation care are vital.
39. Providing care during treatment
Nausea,
Diarrhea,
Mucositis
Hemorrhagic cystitis
Vital signs and
Blood oxygen saturation;
41. Cont…
Throughout the period of bone marrow aphasia until
engraftment of the new marrow occurs, patients are at
high risk for dying of sepsis and bleeding.
Renal complications arise from the nephrotoxic
chemotherapy agents used in the conditioning
regimen or those used to treat infection (amphotericin
B, aminoglycosides).
42. Providing post transplantation care
Nursing assessment in follow-up visits is essential to
detect late effects of therapy in BMT patients.
Late complications are those that occur 100 days or more
after bmt.
Late effects include infections, such as varicella zoster
infection, and recurrent pneumonias. Sterility often
results.
Chronic gvhd involves the skin, liver, intestine esophagus,
eye, lungs, joints, and vaginal mucosa.
Psychosocial assessments by nursing staff must be
ongoing.
43. Providing caring for the donors
Donors commonly experience mood alterations,
decreased self-esteem, and guilt from feelings of
failure if the transplantation fails.
Family members must be educated and supported to
reduce anxiety and promote coping during this
difficult time.
