International Journal of Oncology: "From chemotherapy to biological therapy", Prof. Dr. Volker Schirrmacher
"From chemotherapy to biological therapy: A review of novel concepts to reduce the side effects of systemic cancer treatment" - this is the title of the scientific publication by Prof. Dr. Volker Schirrmacher in the International Journal of Oncology. The side effects of chemotherapy are often severe. Recently, increased attention has been paid to the patient's immune system and its activation by biological therapies, as they are proving to be well tolerated in cancer therapy. The review explains how these immunotherapies work and why they are better tolerated. In contrast to chemotherapy, they also induce memory function and aim to specifically activate the immune system against the cancer; the side effects are low due to immune tolerance mechanisms and, in addition, a supportive interferon response is effective.
