Immunotherapy is a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment that harnesses the body’s own immune system to recognize, target, and destroy cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments that act directly on the tumor, immunotherapy works by stimulating or enhancing the natural defenses of the body to fight cancer more effectively. It is a promising option for patients who may not respond well to chemotherapy or radiation.
Immunotherapy includes various types of treatments such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapy, cancer vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. These therapies are designed to overcome the ways cancer hides from the immune system and empower immune cells to attack tumors.
What does immunotherapy involve?
Immunotherapy involves using specialized drugs and techniques to either boost the immune response or restore its ability to recognize cancer cells. It is especially effective in treating certain types of cancers such as melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and some blood cancers.
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors to remove barriers that prevent immune cells from attacking tumors
- Monoclonal antibodies that bind to specific cancer cell proteins
- CAR T-cell therapy that engineers a patient’s own T-cells to fight cancer
- Cytokine therapy to boost the immune system’s activity
- Cancer vaccines that help the body recognize and destroy cancer cells
Checkpoint Inhibitors
01
CAR T-Cell Therapy
02
Monoclonal Antibodies
03
What Immunotherapy treats
Oncologists specializing in immunotherapy gain expertise in immunobiology, tumor microenvironments, and immune resistance mechanisms. They learn to select appropriate immunotherapies based on tumor type, genetic markers, and patient condition. Immunotherapy is not only a treatment—it’s a strategy to train the immune system to remember cancer cells and prevent recurrence. It offers a more natural and long-lasting solution for many patients, and continues to evolve as a key pillar of modern oncology.