Health library

Understanding immunotherapy

If your doctor suggests immunotherapy to treat your cancer, you might want to know more about how it works. There are several types of immunotherapy, but they all use your immune system—cells, tissues and organs that fight germs and diseases—to attack cancer.

Monoclonal antibodies

These lab-made antibodies seek out specific proteins on cancer cells. Some mark cancer cells so your immune system can attack them better. Others carry radiation or chemotherapy drugs straight to the cancer. Monoclonal antibodies are given by infusion through a vein.

Checkpoint inhibitors

These drugs act on proteins on your immune cells called checkpoints. These checkpoints are like switches. They turn the immune system on or off to stop it from attacking normal cells. Some checkpoint inhibitors stop cancer cells from using these checkpoints to evade the immune system. These drugs are given by infusion through a vein.

Modified T cells

One example is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. T cells are a type of white blood cell and a key cancer fighter. They are taken from your blood and genetically altered in a lab to recognize and attack your cancer. The modified T cells are then put back in your bloodstream to fight your cancer.

Cancer vaccines

Cancer vaccines differ from vaccines that prevent infections. They boost the immune system to fight cancer cells. For example, sipuleucel-T is sometimes used to treat advanced prostate cancer. It's made in a lab using your own white blood cells and given through an infusion.

Immune system modulators

These drugs enhance your immune system to attack cancer. Biological response modifiers are one type. They help cells release a protein that makes white blood cells grow and work better. They also stop tumors from making new blood vessels that they need to grow. Immune system modulators are given as pills or injections.

Talk to your doctor

These are just some of the ways immunotherapy works with your immune system to take on cancer. Your doctor can help you learn more about these treatments and if they are right for you.

Cancer-fighting combos

Immunotherapy can be paired with other cancer treatments. One example is chemotherapy. Check out our infographic to learn more about chemo.

Get the facts