Even though the rate of cancer has decreased since Covid-19 came into the picture, there is still so much ongoing research happening in several organizations across the U.S. Cancer still remains the leading cause of death in the country. A treatment that can help restore the health of a cancer patient is cryo cord blood banking, which can be done through institutions such as cbr cord blood bank, a cord blood stem cell bank where you preserve newborn stem cells from their umbilical cord. Here are 5 cancer treatments you may not have heard of:

1. Immune checkpoint inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed the way we treat various types of cancer. These drugs work by blocking specific proteins that inhibit the immune system from recognizing and attacking cancer cells. Key points to consider include: Broad Applicability: Immune checkpoint inhibitors like Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab have shown remarkable success in a wide range of cancers, including melanoma, lung, and kidney cancers. These drugs can lead to long-lasting remissions in some patients, with fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments. Ongoing research explores the potential of combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with other treatments to enhance their effectiveness.

2. Minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery techniques have revolutionized the field of oncology, allowing for precision and quicker recovery. Highlights include: Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery: These methods involve small incisions, reducing scarring and post-operative pain for patients undergoing procedures such as prostate, colon, and lung cancer surgeries. Patients often experience shorter hospital stays and faster return to their daily lives. Minimally invasive procedures allow for more accurate tumor removal and a lower risk of complications.

3. Personalized cancer vaccines

Personalized cancer vaccines represent a new frontier in cancer treatment. These vaccines are custom-made to target a patient’s specific cancer, offering several advantages: Personalized vaccines train the immune system to recognize and attack the patient’s unique cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissue. These vaccines have the potential to generate an immune response that continues to target cancer cells, offering the possibility of prolonged control or even remission. Ongoing studies aim to refine and expand the use of personalized cancer vaccines across various cancer types.

4. CAR-T cell therapy

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has revolutionized the treatment of blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Key features include: Engineered Immune Cells: CAR-T therapy involves modifying a patient’s T-cells to target cancer-specific proteins, enabling a highly targeted attack on cancer cells. CAR-T therapy has shown remarkable results, even in patients who have exhausted other treatment options. Expanding Applications: Ongoing research explores the use of CAR-T therapy in other types of cancer, offering hope for broader applications.

5. Advances in radiation therapy

Radiation therapy has advanced significantly, becoming more precise and less invasive. Notable developments include: Stereotactic Radiosurgery: This technique delivers high doses of radiation to precisely defined areas, commonly used for brain and lung tumors, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. Proton therapy employs proton beams instead of X-rays, reducing collateral damage and making it particularly effective for pediatric and hard-to-reach tumors. Combining radiation therapy with immunotherapy has shown promise in enhancing the immune response to cancer.