
The side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors may include side effects similar to an allergic reaction. For example, the side effects of monoclonal antibodies used for targeted therapy are not like those used for immunotherapy. The side effects of monoclonal antibody treatment depend on the drug's purpose. Learn more about tumor-agnostic treatments. Another example is that dostarlimab (Jemperli) can be used for advanced cancer or cancer that has come back if it has dMMR. This kind of approach is called a "tumor-agnostic treatment."įor instance, pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is approved to treat any tumors that have spread to distant parts of the body if they have a specific molecular change called microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or DNA mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR). There are also 2 checkpoint inhibitors that are used to treat tumors anywhere in the body if they have specific genetic changes. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific cancers. Many checkpoint inhibitors are approved by the U.S. Common checkpoints that these inhibitors affect are the PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 pathways.Įxamples of immune checkpoint inhibitors include: Cancer cells can find ways to hide from the immune system by activating these checkpoints.Ĭheckpoint inhibitors prevent cancer cells from blocking the immune system. Immune checkpoints are used by the body to naturally stop an immune system response and prevent the immune system from attacking healthy cells. Other types of monoclonal antibodies boost your immune system by inhibiting or stopping immune checkpoints. This is also considered a type of targeted therapy, which is a cancer treatment using medication that targets a cancer's specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that helps the tumor grow and survive. For example, they can be used to block the activity of abnormal proteins in cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies can help fight cancer in different ways. Monoclonal antibodies are made in a laboratory to boost the body's natural antibodies or act as antibodies themselves. Antigens are molecules that start the immune response in your body. Antibodies are proteins that fight infection by attaching to antigens. When the immune system detects something harmful, it makes antibodies. What are monoclonal antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors? Talk with your doctor about why a specific immunotherapy plan is being recommended for you. Your age, general health, body weight, and the possible side effects are also important. These can include the type of cancer, size, location, and where it has spread. The type of immunotherapy, dose, and treatment schedule your doctor recommends will depend on many factors. Monoclonal antibodies and immune checkpoint inhibitors

The different types of immunotherapy include:

Others help the immune system destroy cancer cells or stop the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Some immunotherapy treatments help the immune system stop or slow the growth of cancer cells. Cancer can commonly get around many of the immune system's natural defenses, allowing cancer cells to continue to grow.ĭifferent types of immunotherapy work in different ways. This process involves cells, organs, and proteins. The immune system consists of a complex process that your body uses to fight cancer. Learn more about the side effects of immunotherapy. This article will help you understand the basics of how immunotherapy works to treat cancer. It can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or other cancer treatments. Immunotherapy can treat many different types of cancer. It uses substances made by the body or in a laboratory to boost the immune system and help the body find and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment.
