Müjgan Çalışkan Evren M.D. – Genel Cerrahi Profesörü – Meme Cerrahisi UzmanıMüjgan Çalışkan Evren M.D. – Professor of General Surgery – Breast Surgery SpecialistMüjgan Çalışkan Evren M.D. – Professeure de chirurgie générale – Spécialiste de la chirurgie du sein

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Breast cancer treatment · Medical therapy

Immunotherapy in Breast Cancer

Immunotherapy in breast cancer: illustration of immune cells and a cancer cell

Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment and an Individualized Approach

Immunotherapy is not effective in every patient or in every type of cancer; however, as a treatment option it clearly strengthens our hand. Especially in triple-negative tumors, we are able to achieve very successful results when we use it together with chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy is still a developing field. For this reason, the benefit and advantages of the treatment must be evaluated individually for each patient. Because the same effect and response are not seen in every patient, treatment decisions must always be made together with multidisciplinary tumor boards.

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Frequently asked questions

Your questions, answered.

The most common questions about immunotherapy, with short answers.

What is immunotherapy?

It is an innovative treatment that activates the body’s own immune system so that it can fight cancer cells.

How does immunotherapy work in breast cancer?

Cancer cells use mechanisms such as PD-1 / PD-L1 to hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy blocks these mechanisms and makes the tumor “visible” to immune cells.

Which breast cancer patients receive immunotherapy?

It has a high success rate especially in patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Whether it is suitable is decided by evaluating the pathology result and the examination together.

When is immunotherapy given in early-stage breast cancer?

It is given together with chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink the tumor and reduce the risk of recurrence, and it continues for a certain period after surgery.

Who receives it in advanced and metastatic breast cancer?

In patients whose tumor tissue tests positive for PD-L1, it is preferred as first-line treatment together with chemotherapy.

What is the PD-L1 test?

It is a test that looks for a protein called PD-L1 in the tumor tissue. It is done on a tissue sample taken by biopsy and guides the decision on immunotherapy in advanced disease.

Does immunotherapy have side effects?

Because the immune system is activated, immune-related side effects may rarely occur in organs such as the thyroid, skin, bowel, lungs and liver. They can usually be controlled when noticed early, so any complaints should be reported to the doctor.

Is immunotherapy given to all breast cancer patients?

No. Immunotherapy stands out especially in triple-negative breast cancer; the decision is made individually according to the stage and subtype of the disease and the patient’s general condition.

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