How do immunotherapies work to treat cancer?

Immunotherapies are a cutting-edge approach to cancer treatment that harnesses the power of the immune system to combat cancer cells and improve treatment outcomes. Unlike traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy, which directly target cancer cells, immunotherapies work by stimulating the body's own immune response to identify and destroy cancer cells.

Immune system's role in cancer treatment

The immune system plays a crucial role in identifying and eliminating abnormal cells in the body, including cancer cells. However, cancer cells can evade detection by the immune system through various mechanisms. Immunotherapies help to enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Mechanisms of immunotherapies

There are several mechanisms by which immunotherapies work to treat cancer. One common approach is through the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which block inhibitory pathways that cancer cells use to evade the immune system. This allows the immune system to effectively target and destroy cancer cells.

Another approach is through adoptive cell therapy, where immune cells are engineered to better recognize and attack cancer cells before being infused back into the patient. This personalized treatment approach has shown promising results in treating certain types of cancer.

Overall, immunotherapies offer a promising new avenue for cancer treatment by leveraging the body's own immune system to combat cancer cells and improve treatment outcomes.