면역치료제(immunotherapy)란?

면역치료제(immunotherapy)는 환자의 면역 시스템을 강화하거나 조절하여 암, 감염성 질환, 자가면역 질환 등과 같은 질병을 치료하는 방법입니다. 면역치료제는 면역 시스템이 더 효과적으로 작동하도록 도와주거나, 면역 반응을 억제하여 과도한 반응이나 염증을 줄이는 데 사용됩니다.

암 면역치료는 특히 주목을 받는 분야로, 암세포를 공격하도록 면역 시스템을 자극하거나 복원하는 데 사용됩니다. 이러한 치료법에는 여러 유형이 있으며, 대표적으로는 다음과 같습니다.
1. 면역 체크포인트 억제제: 면역 체크포인트는 면역 시스템의 일종의 브레이크로 작동하며, 이를 억제함으로써 면역 시스템이 암세포를 공격할 수 있게 됩니다.
2. CAR-T 세포 치료: 환자의 T세포를 추출하여 암세포를 인식하도록 개조한 후, 다시 환자에게 주입하여 암세포를 공격하게 합니다.
3. 백신: 암 백신은 면역 시스템이 암세포를 인식하고 공격할 수 있도록 특정 단백질이나 물질을 주입하여 면역 반응을 자극합니다.

면역치료제는 다른 치료법과 병용하여 적용되기도 하며, 많은 연구와 개발이 진행되고 있는 중입니다. 면역 치료법은 약물 부작용이나 항암 치료에 대한 저항성을 줄일 수 있는 잠재력이 있는데, 이는 전통적인 암 치료법의 한계를 극복하는 데 도움이 됩니다.

 

Immunotherapy is a method of treating diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders by boosting or modulating a patient's immune system. Immunotherapies are used to help the immune system work more effectively, or to suppress the immune response to reduce overreaction or inflammation.

Cancer immunotherapy is an area of particular interest which is used to stimulate or restore the immune system to attack cancer cells. There are several types of these therapies, including
1. immune checkpoint inhibitors: Immune checkpoints act as a kind of brake on the immune system, and by inhibiting them, the immune system is able to attack cancer cells.
2. CAR-T cell therapy: A patient's T-cells are extracted, modified to recognize cancer cells, and then infused back into the patient to attack cancer cells.
3. Vaccines: Cancer vaccines stimulate an immune response by injecting specific proteins or substances to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.

Immunotherapies are often used in combination with other treatments, and much research and development is underway. Immunotherapies have the potential to reduce drug side effects or resistance to chemotherapy, which helps overcome the limitations of traditional cancer treatments.