Experts advocate Immunotherapy as best approach to cancer treatment

As cancer cases continue to rise globally, a growing number of experts are calling for a shift in how we approach cancer treatment.

Among the array of healthcare experts Deborah Agbakwuru, a leading cancer immunology researcher. With a background in pharmacy and current work focused on T cell communication and immune signaling, Agbakwuru is urging healthcare professionals to embrace cancer immunotherapies as the next frontier in oncology.

Recently, Agbakwuru stated why immunotherapy holds remarkable advantages over conventional cancer treatments and why it’s time for the medical community to make a decisive pivot.
She said: “We are no longer treating cancer with just a sledgehammer approach. Immunotherapies allow us to use the body’s own immune system to fight cancer in a targeted, intelligent way.”

With years of experience in both pharmacy practice in Nigeria and cutting-edge immunological research in the United States, Agbakwuru explained that traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, while lifesaving, come with significant limitations.

She further noted: “Chemotherapy doesn’t differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells. It’s like using fire to clear a weed patch, you end up damaging the entire field. “Immunotherapy, however, teaches the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells with precision, often resulting in fewer side effects and longer-lasting remission.”

Agbakwuru’s current research explores how T cells communicate and respond during immune processes, particularly through trogocytosis, a form of direct cell-to-cell contact and material exchange. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of immune signaling, which informs innovations in immunotherapy.

This insight, she noted, could revolutionize how cancer immunotherapies are designed and personalised.
“T cells are like highly trained soldiers. If we can better understand how they identify their targets, we can enhance the immune response against cancerous tumors,” she said.

While cancer immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and cancer vaccines have shown promise in clinical trials and real-world applications, they are not yet standard across many healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Agbakwuru highlighted the need for continued education among health professionals to fully grasp the mechanisms and potential of immunotherapy.
“There’s a knowledge gap we need to close,” she insists. “Physicians, pharmacists, and clinical researchers must be trained to understand how these therapies work, how to manage their side effects, and how to select the right patients. It’s a multidisciplinary effort.”

Beyond the science, Agbakwuru calls for investment in research infrastructure, especially in Africa, where cancer care is often limited to surgery and basic chemotherapy.
“We must build local capacity for clinical trials and immunotherapy development. If we want global equity in cancer care, then local innovation is non-negotiable.”

As a member of the American Association of Immunologists, Agbakwuru is actively involved in mentoring young scientists, advocating for accessible cancer research, and volunteering with educational initiatives like “Letters to a Pre-Scientist.”

She believes that with the right policy, training, and collaboration, the global healthcare community can usher in a new era of cancer treatment.
“We’ve seen immunotherapy turn terminal cases into manageable conditions. That’s the future we should all be working toward not just prolonging life, but preserving its quality.”

As research like Agbakwuru’s continues to illuminate the complexities of immune responses, one thing becomes clear: the time to embrace immunotherapy is now.