Immunotherapy
A treatment approach that uses or modifies the immune system to combat disease, most prominently cancer but also allergies and autoimmune conditions. Modalities include monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, and cell-based therapies that boost or redirect immune activity.
What is immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a treatment approach that uses or modifies the immune system to fight disease. While it is most prominently associated with cancer, it is also applied to allergies and autoimmune conditions, either boosting immune activity or redirecting and dampening it as needed.
Its modalities are diverse and include monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, and cell-based therapies. Each works through a different mechanism, but all share the strategy of engaging the body's own defenses rather than relying solely on external agents.
Why does immunotherapy matter?
Immunotherapy has expanded the options available for diseases that were once difficult to treat, sometimes producing lasting results by tapping into the immune system's specificity and memory. It has become a cornerstone of modern oncology and a growing tool in other fields.
Because these therapies are a major area of pharmaceutical development, they continue to generate new products and clinical evidence. Their distinct mechanisms also bring distinct side-effect profiles that require careful patient monitoring.
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