Q. What is the difference between immuno-oncology and classic oncology?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Seconmedic Expert

Immuno-oncology is the branch of oncology that focuses on utilizing the body’s immune system to fight cancer. It is a relatively new field of research, but one that has been making major strides in recent years. While classic oncology focuses primarily on treating cancer through radiation and chemotherapy, immuno-oncology seeks to take advantage of the body's natural defense mechanisms against disease by activating its own immune cells to attack tumors.

Unlike classic treatments for cancer, which can often be toxic and have side effects, immuno-oncological drugs are designed to specifically target tumor cells while minimizing collateral damage. This newer approach works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and destroy cancerous cells while leaving healthy adjacent tissue unharmed. Immuno-oncological therapies are also unique because they do not just treat existing tumors but also attempt to prevent them from recurring or metastasizing elsewhere in the body with their ongoing action over time.

The two main types of immunotherapies used today include monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)-targeted therapy and checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs)-immune stimulators therapy. These treatments work together by blocking proteins or processes involved in allowing cancer cells to evade detection by T-cells – white blood cells responsible for eliminating viruses and abnormal substances from our bodies – thus disabling their ability to hide from an immune response. This then triggers an active attack from our bodies’ natural defenses resulting in enhanced tumor destruction without harming surrounding healthy tissue like traditional chemo or radiation treatments can do at times.

Overall, both classic oncology and immuno-oncological approaches have been shown successful at treating different forms of cancers depending upon individual cases as each require efficiency in diagnosis first before embarking upon treatment plans; however there has definitely been increased promise for more effective treatments within this newer branch as it continues opening up more doors for greater success rates with minimal side effects unlike some conventional ones available earlier than these revolutionary therapeutic approaches were introduced into mainstream healthcare practice today!

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