Types of cancer immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses our immune system to fight cancer. It works by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.
There are different types of immunotherapy. Some of these are also called targeted therapies or biological therapies.
Monoclonal antibodies (MABs)
Some MABs have an effect on the immune system. So as well as being a targeted cancer drug, they are also a type of immunotherapy.
Checkpoint Inhibitors
Checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy that block different checkpoint proteins. Examples include pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and ipilimumab (Yervoy).
Cytokines
Cytokines are a group of proteins that are found naturally in the body. They help to boost the immune system. Man made versions of these proteins are a treatment for cancer.
Vaccines to treat cancer
Unlike vaccines to prevent disease, cancer treatment vaccines are for people who already have cancer. These vaccines are mainly available as part of clinical trials.
CAR T-cell therapy
You might hear CAR T-cell therapy called a type of adoptive cell transfer. It's a possible treatment for some children with leukaemia and some adults with lymphoma.
