Can lung squamous cell carcinoma be treated with immunotherapy?

Mar 27, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
Immunotherapy is generally applicable for lung squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma should develop individualized treatment plans under the guidance of a physician, involving a comprehensive approach that may include immunotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatment modalities. Additionally, immunotherapy may cause certain side effects, such as immune-related pneumonitis and immune-related thyroiditis, which require close monitoring and timely management.

Lung squamous cell carcinoma can generally be treated with immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is a novel approach to cancer treatment that activates the patient's own immune system to attack cancer cells, thereby achieving therapeutic effects. Currently, immunotherapy for lung squamous cell carcinoma primarily involves the use of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies. PD-1 and PD-L1 are signaling molecules in the immune system that suppress the activity of immune cells, allowing cancer cells to evade immune detection. Anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies block the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1, thus reactivating immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells. However, immunotherapy is not suitable for all patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma; only those with high PD-L1 expression levels are likely to benefit from this treatment. Therefore, patients should work with their doctors to develop individualized treatment plans, integrating immunotherapy with other modalities such as chemotherapy and surgery as appropriate.

In addition, immunotherapy may cause certain side effects, including immune-related pneumonia and immune-related thyroiditis, which require close monitoring and timely management.


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