Immunotherapy

Also known as biological therapy, immunotherapy manipulates the immune system to further fight off disease. Immunotherapy has been developed because the body recognizes the cancerous cells as normal ones and therefore cannot fight them off. Fortunately, research has shown that the immune system may be able to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells.

In immunotherapy, doctors use chemicals known as biological response modifiers (BRMs). These chemicals cause the body to identify mesothelioma cells as harmful and begin to attack them. While the body naturally produces BRMs, doctors need to enhance this defense in mesothelioma patients. BRMs currently being tested include interleukins, interferons, monoclonal antibodies and tumor necrosis factor.