In this article, we will discuss Immunotherapy (1). So, let’s get started.
Immunotherapy is a type of medical treatment that harnesses the body’s own immune system to fight diseases, including certain types of cancer. The goal of immunotherapy is to enhance or stimulate the body’s natural defenses to recognize and attack abnormal cells more effectively. This approach differs from traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which directly target and kill rapidly dividing cells.
Types of Immunotherapy:
Checkpoint Inhibitors: These drugs block certain proteins on immune cells (checkpoint proteins) that prevent them from attacking cancer cells. Examples include pembrolizumab and nivolumab.
CAR T-cell Therapy: This involves modifying a patient’s own T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that recognize and attack cancer cells.
Monoclonal Antibodies: These antibodies can be designed to target specific proteins on cancer cells, marking them for destruction by the immune system.
Cytokines: Substances like interleukins and interferons can be used to stimulate the immune system.