Immunotherapy
October 24, 2024
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Alexis Boling, MSN-RN, CNML, director, nursing, Immune Effector Cell & Gene Therapy Program, City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte
Therapies that help a person’s own immune system fight cancer are known as immunotherapies. These treatments work in different ways to trigger the patient’s immune system to identify and launch an attack against cancer cells. They are sometimes referred to as biologic therapy, biological therapy, biotherapy, biological response modifier (BRM) therapy, biological response therapy or immuno-oncology.
There are several types of immunotherapy treatments for cancer. Some are crafted using components like cells and proteins from a person’s own immune system, while others are developed in a laboratory as researchers learn more and more about how the immune system may be employed to target, slow down and stop the spread of cancer.
Immunotherapy works by boosting or stimulating a patient’s immune system responses to help prevent or fight the growth and spread of cancer cells. There are several immunotherapy treatments approved for use in cancer, and each uses distinct approaches to help treat the disease. They may be given as standalone therapies or with other cancer treatments. The medicines may be delivered through pills or capsules, topical (skin) cream, intravenous (IV) infusion, injection or catheter.
Immunotherapy includes a range of medicines. Immune checkpoint inhibitors help stop cancer cells from blocking the immune system so it’s more able to fight disease. Immunomodulators and cancer vaccines signal the immune system to respond to certain cancers. T cell immunotherapy alters the patient’s cancer-fighting T cells, while monoclonal and bispecific antibody therapies use laboratory-engineered proteins to make cancer cells easier for the immune system to spot and destroy. In oncolytic virus therapy, modified viruses infect and destroy cancer tumors.
Patients receiving immunotherapy may experience side effects as the immune system begins to work in a more powerful way. For those receiving infusions or injections, skin reactions (pain, redness, rash, itching and swelling) may occur at the needle site. Other side effects may include nausea, vomiting, fever, muscle aches, weakness, congestion and headaches.
Once you’re a City of Hope patient, you automatically have access to an unparalleled array of support services to help you and your loved ones take each step during and after your immunotherapy treatment.
At City of Hope, scientists, physicians and researchers collaborate extensively to develop and evaluate new immunotherapies for better survival and quality-of-life outcomes.
City of Hope’s developments in the areas of immunotherapy, CAR T cell therapy and other breakthrough cancer therapies are internationally recognized.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (2022, May). What is Immunotherapy?
https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/immunotherapy-and-vaccines/what-immunotherapyNational Cancer Institute, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. biological therapy.
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/biological-therapyNational Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research. Center for Immuno-Oncology.
https://ccr.cancer.gov/center-for-immuno-oncologyAmerican Cancer Society (2019, December 27). How Immunotherapy Is Used to Treat Cancer.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/immunotherapy/what-is-immunotherapy.htmlNational Cancer Institute (2019, September 24). Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy#how-is-immunotherapy-givenAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology (2020, August). What are Cancer Vaccines?
https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/immunotherapy-and-vaccines/what-are-cancer-vaccinesNational Cancer Institute (2023, February 16). Immunotherapy Side Effects.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy/side-effects
Immunotherapy Patient Stories
Comprehensive supportive care programs are available to you and your family at every step of your immunotherapy journey.
Our developments in the areas of breakthrough cancer drugs, CAR T cell therapy and other treatments are recognized internationally.
City of Hope experts are on the leading edge of developing and evaluating immunotherapy breakthroughs, enhancing our ability to provide novel approaches to cancer care.