For many breast cancer patients, being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) brings a deeper level of fear and uncertainty. Unlike other types of breast cancer, TNBC lacks estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and the HER2 protein. This means that commonly used hormone therapies and HER2-targeted treatments are not effective options.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, but what poses the greatest threat to patient survival is not the primary tumor—it is metastasis. When cancer cells spread to the bone, liver, lung, or brain, treatment becomes significantly more challenging and survival rates decrease. For many breast cancer patients, the fear of metastasis overshadows the diagnosis itself. The question is no longer simply whether surgery can remove a tumor, but whether the cancer will return or spread again. As research progresses, it has become increasingly clear that the immune system plays a pivotal role in shaping metastasis—sometimes as a defender, and at other times, surprisingly, as a facilitator.
The human immune system is a sophisticated defense network designed to identify and eliminate threats such as viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells. White blood cells, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, and B cells work together to identify invaders and coordinate immune responses. NK cells and macrophages act as frontline defenders, while lymphocytes such as T cells use receptors to recognize and destroy abnormal cells displaying unique antigens. These mechanisms are essential for preventing cancer development, as the body routinely removes mutated or abnormal cells before they become malignant. When immune surveillance fails or is bypassed, cancer cells gain the chance to grow unchecked.
For many women facing cervical cancer, breast cancer, or ovarian cancer, the struggle extends far beyond the physical toll. The diagnosis often comes with emotional distress, concerns for family and career responsibilities, and the fear of recurrence. Cervical cancer is most common among women aged 25 to 45, affecting individuals in the midst of building careers or raising children. Breast cancer peaks between the ages of 45 and 69 and remains the most prevalent cancer among women, requiring complex treatment combinations depending on disease stage and genetic factors. Ovarian cancer, often diagnosed late due to a lack of reliable screening tools, carries the highest mortality among the three, with a five-year survival rate under 30% and recurrence rates reaching 70% to 80%. These statistics highlight why many patients facing these cancers are exploring treatment options that not only control tumors but also improve quality of life and minimize side effects.
For decades, cancer treatment has relied primarily on surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and later, targeted therapy. These methods focus on directly destroying cancer cells through drugs, radiation, or surgical removal. While effective, they can also damage healthy tissues and weaken the immune system.
Cancer remains one of the top global killers, and while many patients focus on surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted drugs, an equally decisive factor is the body’s own immune defense. Natural killer (NK) cells are a key component of innate immunity, capable of detecting and destroying abnormal or malignant cells without requiring prior activation. Unlike T cells, NK cells do not depend on antigen presentation but instead carry out spontaneous surveillance and cytotoxicity through perforin and granzyme pathways. This unique ability positions NK cells as a critical barrier against cancer initiation and early tumor growth.
For many patients who are dealing with cancer, chronic infections, autoimmune disorders, or constant fatigue and weakness, the concept of immunity is not just a scientific term—it is a lifeline. As medical research continues to evolve, Natural Killer Cell Therapy (NK cell therapy) has emerged as a promising non-targeted immunotherapy designed to enhance the body’s natural ability to fight abnormal cells. Unlike chemotherapy or targeted drugs that attack cancer cells directly, NK cell therapy leverages the patient’s own immune system to recognize and eliminate threats. For patients looking for more gentle, potentially safer treatment options, NK cells offer a new dimension of hope.
When patients are diagnosed with lung cancer, doctors often discuss the success rates and side effects of conventional treatments. This can leave patients and their families feeling fearful and helpless. Because early-stage lung cancer often has no obvious symptoms, many people are only diagnosed after persistent coughing or declining physical strength. For late-stage patients, the five-year survival rate remains low. Although chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted drugs can control certain tumors, challenges such as drug resistance, immune suppression, and reduced quality of life continue to trouble many patients.
In recent years, immunotherapy—particularly Natural Killer (NK) cell-based approaches—has opened new possibilities. Instead of relying solely on external drugs to kill cancer cells, these strategies aim to enhance the patient’s own immune system to fight tumors. For many patient peers, this shift represents not only scientific advancement but also renewed hope.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Among the many challenges patients face—from breathing difficulties, persistent coughing, and physical weakness to the emotional and psychological burden—the question always arises: What treatment options offer real hope? For many years, standard treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy dominated the medical landscape. Although these therapies provide clinical benefits, their limitations in long-term control and survival have encouraged researchers and clinicians to explore newer approaches.
Among all malignancies worldwide, lung cancer has held the top position in both incidence and mortality for more than a decade. For patients like me, this statistic isn’t just a number—it represents the silent, persistent threat that lung cancer poses to our health and survival. In China alone, lung cancer accounts for more than one-fifth of all new cancer cases and nearly one-third of cancer-related deaths. In practical terms, this means that in every four cancer deaths, one is due to lung cancer.
