Biotherapy

Helping Your Immune System Fight Back

Biotherapy is a tool we use to treat your cancer by utilizing living organisms to kill cancer cells. It has the ability to treat several kinds of cancer by preventing or slowing the growth of tumors and preventing the spread of cancer cells. Additionally, it often causes less toxic side effects as opposed to other cancer treatments. At HOAF, our goal is to come up with a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific case and collaborate with you on an approach that you feel comfortable and confident in.

Patient laughing beautiful woman smile

How Biotherapy Works

Biotherapy aims to help the immune system find and destroy cancer cells. Your immune system naturally fights off invaders, such as germs and viruses throughout the body. Cancer cells are intruders, but sometimes your body doesn’t always spot them right away. They unfortunately have a tendency to hide from the immune fighting cells, or they may even prevent immune system cells from performing their role. Overall, biotherapy does its job in two ways:

  • Employing the immune system to kill cancer cells: There are multiple methods biotherapy treatments utilize to accomplish this goal. One route is to use substances made from living organisms to stimulate the immune system in the body to fight cancer. These chemicals may be made in a lab and then put into a person’s body.

  • Spotting cancer cells: Biotherapies are designed to make cancer cells more visible to the immune system. By targeting specific cell signals, these therapies can prevent cancer cells from hiding. For instance, immune checkpoint inhibitors block receptors on the cancer cells’ surface, stopping the signals that allow them to evade detection by the immune system. This enables the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer more effectively.

Ppe hematology oncology associates of fredericksburg

The Power of The Immune System

Your immune system is a powerful tool in fighting off intruders such as cancer. Its job is to recognize and destroy abnormal cells, including cancer cells. Here’s how it works:

Immune cells, such as T cells, patrol the body and identify cancer cells by recognizing the abnormal proteins on their surface. These proteins, called antigens, signal that the cells are unhealthy or foreign.

Once the immune system detects these abnormal cells, it activates specialized immune cells, like cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, to target the cancer. These cells release toxic substances that destroy the cancer cells.

T cells directly attack the harmful cells by binding to them and releasing enzymes that perforate the cell membrane, causing them to die. NK (natural killer) cells can also kill the malignant tumors without prior activation by recognizing stressed or damaged cells.

After destroying the cancer cells, the immune system can create a memory of these abnormal antigens. This helps the body recognize and respond more quickly if the cancer reappears.

Cancer can sometimes evade this process by producing proteins that turn off immune responses or by hiding from immune detection, which is where treatments like biotherapy come in to boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

Potential Side Effects of Biotherapy

Just like with any cancer treatment, there are potential effects of biotherapy treatment. While it can be highly effective, the heightened immune response can also impact healthy tissues and organs. Here are some of the potential side effects:

  • Flu-Like Symptoms: It’s very common to experience a fever, chills, fatigue and muscle aches after treatment.
  • Skin Changes: You may notice changes in your skin such as rashes or itching, dry skin or peeling.

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues: Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are possible.

  • Fatigue: Your body is working in overdrive to get rid of the harmful invaders, and as a result, you may feel exhausted due to the immune system’s heightened activity.

  • Autoimmune Reactions: Since biotherapy can overstimulate the immune system, it may mistakenly attack healthy organs.

  • Infusion Responses: These are allergic-like symptoms that may happen during or after treatment such as shortness of breath, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat or dizziness.

It is important to note that while these side effects can vary in severity, they are often manageable with medications, dose adjustments or stopping treatment temporarily. If you develop any of these symptoms that become too challenging to manage, please let your doctor at HOAF know. Our care team will monitor your symptoms closely and work with you to address them early on.

HOAF Means Hope

Where Healing Begins, Strength Prevails

At HOAF, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care for cancer and blood disorders to the Fredericksburg, Stafford, and surrounding communities. Our practice integrates advanced treatments with a personalized approach, delivering the highest quality care. As an independent practice, we focus on individualized attention, ensuring each patient receives compassionate, comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs. Our cutting-edge facility, equipped with an on-site pharmacy, offers convenience and a seamless treatment experience.

Blue pathway
Patient holding hands with loved one during infusion
Patient holding hands with loved one during infusion
Hematology oncology associates of fredericksburg logo featuring pine trees, a river graphic, and the acronym hoaf representing cancer and blood disorder care in fredericksburg, virginia.

Compassionate Care In A Courageous Fight

The Lodge | 4501 Empire Court, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

The Pines | 4545 Empire Court, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Woodstream | 125 Woodstream Boulevard, Suite 205, Stafford, VA 22556

(540) 371-0079

The Lodge | 4501 Empire Court, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

The Pines | 4545 Empire Court, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Woodstream | 125 Woodstream Boulevard, Suite 205, Stafford, VA 22556

(540) 371-0079