Empowering Your Body, Fighting Cancer Together
Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system as part of cancer treatment. It can take several forms and may be used alone or together with other treatments depending on the cancer and the individual treatment plan.
What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy, also known as immuno-oncology in the context of cancer care, is a type of treatment that helps the body's immune system recognize or respond to cancer.
The immune system naturally protects the body from harmful organisms and abnormal cells. Some cancers can avoid or suppress immune responses. Immunotherapy uses different strategies to help the immune system respond against cancer cells.
Immunotherapy can include medicines such as checkpoint inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, as well as cellular therapies and other immune-based approaches. It may be used by itself or in combination with other cancer treatments when clinically appropriate.
Different Types of Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy includes several treatment strategies. Each works differently to influence the immune response or help the immune system identify cancer cells.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Laboratory-created antibodies can target specific proteins associated with cancer cells. Depending on the medicine, they may interfere with cancer growth or help the immune system recognize targeted cells.
Checkpoint Inhibitors
Checkpoint inhibitor medicines block certain immune-regulating proteins, helping T cells remain active against cancer cells in cancers where this approach is appropriate.
CAR-T Cell Therapy
CAR-T therapy modifies a patient's T cells so they can recognize specific targets on cancer cells before the cells are returned to the patient's body.
Cancer Vaccines
Some cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate an immune response against cancer-associated targets. Their use depends on the specific cancer and treatment setting.
Immune-Modulating Therapies
Some treatments modify immune activity to strengthen an immune response or alter signals that affect how effectively the immune system responds to cancer.
Non-Specific Immunotherapies
Certain treatments stimulate broader immune activity rather than targeting one specific cancer marker. Examples include selected cytokine-based therapies.
Oncolytic Virus Therapy
This approach uses specially designed viruses that can infect cancer cells and may also stimulate an immune response against the tumor.
Other Immune-Based Approaches
Research continues to develop additional strategies that influence immune responses. Their availability depends on the cancer, treatment setting, and clinical evidence.
How Immunotherapy Supports Cancer Care
Different immunotherapy medicines work in different ways. The overall goal is to help the immune system recognize, activate against, or respond more effectively to cancer.
Recognizing Cancer
Some cancer cells can avoid immune detection. Immunotherapy may help the immune system recognize specific cancer-related targets.
Activating Immune Response
Certain treatments remove signals that suppress immune activity or otherwise stimulate immune cells to respond.
Targeting Cancer
Once an immune response is activated or engineered toward a target, immune cells may attack cancer cells carrying that target.
The Potential Benefits of Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy can offer important treatment opportunities for selected cancers, although its benefits and risks vary considerably between individuals.
Immune-Based Targeting
Some immunotherapies are designed to direct or strengthen immune activity against specific cancer-related targets.
Potential for Durable Response
Some patients can experience prolonged responses to certain immunotherapy treatments, although outcomes vary by cancer and individual circumstances.
Personalized Treatment Selection
Cancer type, biomarkers, stage, previous treatment, overall health, and other factors can help guide treatment selection.
Combination Treatment Options
Immunotherapy may sometimes be combined with chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, surgery, or other approaches when appropriate.
A Treatment Plan Built Around Your Needs
There is no single immunotherapy plan that is appropriate for everyone. Cancer specialists consider multiple clinical factors before recommending an immune-based treatment.
The type, location, and extent of cancer help determine whether immunotherapy may be appropriate.
Certain biomarkers can help identify whether particular immunotherapy approaches may be useful.
Previous cancer treatments and how the disease has responded can influence future treatment planning.
General health, other medical conditions, and potential treatment risks are considered by the care team.
Important Things to Understand
Immunotherapy FAQ
Answers to common questions about immunotherapy, its approaches, benefits, and treatment planning.
Your Path to Hope Starts With Informed Care
Understanding immunotherapy can help patients and families have more informed conversations with their cancer care team. Treatment decisions should always be personalized to the individual's cancer and medical circumstances.
Medical Information Disclaimer
This page is intended for general educational and awareness purposes only. It should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Immunotherapy is not appropriate for every cancer or every patient, and treatment decisions depend on factors including cancer type and stage, biomarkers, previous treatments, overall health, potential risks, and current clinical evidence. Individuals should consult a qualified oncology professional regarding their diagnosis, treatment options, expected benefits, possible side effects, and monitoring.