Biological therapy for cancer

Overview

Biological therapy is a treatment that uses your body's immune system to fight cancer cells rather than attacking those cells directly. For carefully selected people, biological therapy may target cancer cells to avoid damage to normal cells, prevent or slow tumor growth, and prevent the spread of cancer cells. Although it can have side effects, typically this type of therapy is less invasive and less toxic than conventional cancer treatments are. Biological therapy for cancer includes immunotherapy, targeted therapy and therapy that inhibits the growth of blood vessels (anti-angiogenesis).

Biological therapy is sometimes a treatment option for certain people who have lymphoma, brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, colon cancer or lung cancer. Some people receive this therapy alone, while others are also treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, whether biological therapy is right for you depends on your type of cancer, how far it has spread, and other treatments you've tried.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for biological therapy for cancer

• Latest research. Mayo Clinic is a leader in translating knowledge gained from cancer research into effective care for people with cancer. Researchers at Mayo Clinic are investigating the function of biological therapy for cancer and developing ways to use it for treating more types of cancer.
• Comprehensive cancer center. The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center receives funding from the National Cancer Institute and is designated as a comprehensive cancer center — a recognition for an institution's scientific excellence in research and multispecialty resources that are focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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