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Immunotherapy harnesses and enhances the body's immune system to fight diseases, particularly cancer, autoimmune disorders, and allergies. This therapeutic approach includes treatments like checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and cancer vaccines that either stimulate immune responses against disease or modulate immune dysfunction.
Immunotherapy works by either activating immune effector mechanisms against pathogenic cells or by suppressing overactive immune responses in autoimmune conditions. Cancer immunotherapies remove inhibitory signals (checkpoint inhibitors) or genetically modify T-cells to recognize tumor antigens (CAR-T), while treatments for autoimmune diseases use targeted biologics to block specific inflammatory pathways.
Patient selection for immunotherapy requires careful evaluation of disease stage, biomarker expression (PD-L1, microsatellite instability), and immune status to predict treatment response. Clinicians must monitor for unique immune-related adverse events including colitis, pneumonitis, and endocrinopathies that require prompt recognition and immunosuppressive management. Treatment decisions involve balancing efficacy potential with toxicity profiles and patient performance status.