Important for UPSC Prelims: Science & Technology |
What is Immunotherapy?
- Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that strengthens or activates the body’s own immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells.
- Unlike chemotherapy, which directly kills rapidly dividing cells, immunotherapy helps immune cells attack cancer more effectively.
- It is widely used for cancers such as melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma.
What is Dual Immunotherapy?
- Dual immunotherapy combines two immune checkpoint inhibitors that target different pathways to enhance the immune response against cancer.
- This approach improves the ability of T-cells to recognize and eliminate tumour cells.
What is LAG-3?
- LAG-3 (Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3) is an immune checkpoint receptor present on activated T-lymphocytes (T-cells).
- It functions as a brake on the immune system, preventing excessive immune activation.
- Many cancer cells exploit the LAG-3 pathway to suppress T-cell activity and escape immune destruction.
What is RELOPDUO?
- RELOPDUO is a fixed-dose combination immunotherapy developed by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS).
- It combines:
- Relatlimab – a LAG-3 inhibitor
- Nivolumab – a PD-1 inhibitor
- Recently, it became India’s first LAG-3-based dual immunotherapy after receiving approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- It is approved for treating unresectable or metastatic melanoma in patients aged 12 years and above.
- The therapy works by targeting two different immune checkpoints simultaneously.
Conclusion
- LAG-3-based dual immunotherapy marks a significant advancement in precision cancer treatment by harnessing the immune system to fight cancer more effectively.
| This concept has been mentioned in the following article: LAG-3-based Dual Immunotherapy (RELOPDUO): A New Approach in Cancer Treatment |