HOW IMMUNE CHECKPOINTS ARE BEING TARGETED IN NEURO-ONCOLOGY

How Immune Checkpoints Are Being Targeted in Neuro-Oncology

How Immune Checkpoints Are Being Targeted in Neuro-Oncology

Blog Article

Introduction: The term Neuro-Oncology means the study and treatment of cancer in the brain and the spinal cord. This of cancer is much difficult to treat because of the brain’s complex arrangement and a network of blood vessels and tissue which remains very closely packed which does not allow any harmful substance to enter. Now in recent studies on cancer have focused on immune checkpoint inhibitors, which is a form of treatment or therapy which makes the immune system stronger and helps it to fight against cancer.

What are Immune Checkpoints?

Immune Checkpoints are nothing much but molecules that helps to control the immune system to work properly. Just like vehicular “brakes’’ helps to stops the bike/car, same like them the immune checkpoints acts as breaks to stop the immune system from damaging its own body cells, which is much important to protect the body from autoimmune diseases. But there is also a problem as the cancer cells are much intelligent and can make the proper use of these checkpoints, to not get detected by the immune system.

READ ALSO: UNDERSTANDING SPONDYLITIS : SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, AND MANAGEMENT

 

Some of the most common checkpoints are:


  • PD-1: tells the immune system to stop attacking the tumor.

  • CTLA-4: a similar way by stopping immune cells from attacking tumor cells.


Why Are Immune Checkpoints Important in Neuro-Oncology?

Brain tumor becomes more difficult when it comes to immune treatment. The brain has a much stronger defense system which does not allow any other immune cells or treatment to enter in the brain. The environment of the brain is more “tolerant” which means it will react to any new or abnormal cells just like tumor cells, which makes difficult for the immune system to treat the brain cancer.

By the help of these checkpoints the immune system will be able to overcome this challenge, as it helps to recognize the brain tumor as dangerous even in the presence of the blood brain barrier.

Challenges for Immune Checkpoints in the Brain

  • Because of the protective layer present in the brain, it becomes much difficult for the immune system to treat the brain tumor. Researches are going on to find a solution in reaching the brain either through the layer or temporarily disabling the layer.

  • The environment near the brain tumor is very much unique as it is so intelligent that it develops itself in such a way that it becomes difficult for the immune system to treat them, it is also difficult for the checkpoints to treat the brain cancer.

  • Immune checkpoints have a few less side effects than chemotherapy as the brain is one most sensitive part of the body, which is also concerning for the researchers to find a solution for that.


Combination Therapies in Neuro-Oncology:

  • Chemotherapy

  • Targeted therapies

  • Radiation therapy


CONCLUSION: Brain tumor becomes more difficult when it comes to immune treatment. The brain has a much stronger defense system which does not allow any other immune cells or treatment to enter in the brain. Chemotherapy, Targeted therapies, Radiation therapy are some of the therapies that are given with the immune checkpoints.

Report this page