Immunotherapy: How Many Immunotherapy Sessions Are Needed

Immunotherapy represents a groundbreaking advancement in modern cancer care. This innovative approach offers renewed hope for patients worldwide.

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How Immunotherapy Works

Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which target cancer cells directly, immunotherapy works by enlisting the body’s immune system as its ally.

It strengthens or redirects the immune response to better identify and attack cancer cells, often regarded as “invisible” by the body.

Immunotherapy types vary, but they all work with the immune system to fight cancer cells.

Who Qualifies for Immunotherapy?

Eligibility for immunotherapy depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, its stage, and the patient’s overall health.

It is generally most effective for cancers with a high mutation burden, such as:

Melanoma
Non-small cell lung cancer
Certain head and neck cancers

Before starting immunotherapy, doctors perform assessments to ensure it is suitable. These assessments include:

Biomarker tests: These tests check for specific proteins, such as PD-L1, which may indicate how well certain immunotherapies might work.
Medical history evaluation: Doctors review the patient’s medical history to confirm they can handle the treatment’s potential effects.

How Many Immunotherapy Sessions Are Needed?

The number of immunotherapy sessions can vary significantly, depending on several factors:

The type of cancer being treated.
The specific treatment protocol chosen.
How well the patient’s body responds to the therapy.

Treatment may be administered every 2–6 weeks over the course of several months. In other cases, ongoing maintenance sessions may be required, lasting for years.

Since immunotherapy works by stimulating the immune system, results are not immediate. Doctors carefully monitor the patient’s progress throughout treatment, using tools such as:

Scans
Blood tests
Other health indicators

Side Effects and How Long Immunotherapy Lasts in the Body

Immunotherapy is generally well-tolerated but can come with side effects. These range from common, mild reactions to rare but serious complications.

Common side effects:

Fatigue
Skin rashes
Flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills

Rare but serious side effects:

Inflammation in organs like the lungs, liver, or intestines
The immune system attacking healthy tissues

Immunotherapy drugs often stay active in the body even after treatment ends, allowing the immune system to maintain its heightened vigilance and support lasting cancer control.

In some cases, this leads to long-term remission even after the treatment sessions are over.

Monitoring Progress: How to Tell if Immunotherapy is Working

Doctors use a variety of diagnostic tools and methods to monitor progress:

Imaging Tests: CT or PET scans are often used to observe changes in tumour size or spread.
Blood Tests: These can detect proteins or markers that indicate how the treatment is progressing.
Physical Symptoms: Improvements such as increased energy levels or reduced pain can also signal success.

Initial scans may not always show tumour shrinkage, as the immune system can temporarily cause inflammation around tumours before improvement.