Definition:

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses a person’s own immune system to target and fight diseases, particularly cancer. It is designed to boost or enhance the body’s natural defense mechanisms to recognize and attack abnormal cells.

How it works:

Immunotherapy works by activating or suppressing certain components of the immune system. This can be done through the administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and adoptive cell transfer. The goal is to either stimulate the immune response or remove obstacles that prevent immune cells from effectively targeting disease cells.

Types of Immunotherapy:

There are several types of immunotherapy, including:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors: These drugs block the proteins that inhibit the immune system, allowing it to better recognize and destroy cancer cells.
• Monoclonal antibodies: These lab-created antibodies can specifically target certain molecules on cancer cells, marking them for destruction by the immune system.
• Cancer vaccines: Vaccines can be used to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
• Adoptive cell transfer: This therapy involves removing immune cells from the patient, modifying them in a laboratory, and then reintroducing them to the body to enhance their ability to fight the disease.

Applications:

Immunotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, and certain types of leukemia. It is also being explored as a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases, allergies, and infectious diseases.

Potential Benefits and Limitations:

The use of immunotherapy in cancer treatment has demonstrated significant benefits, such as durable responses, fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments like chemotherapy, and the potential for long-term remission. However, not all patients respond equally to immunotherapy, and some may experience immune-related adverse events.