Cancer immunotherapy is an innovative approach to cancer treatment that harnesses the natural power of the immune system to recognize and destroy malignant cells. It is a treatment method that uses the body’s natural immune system to attack cancer cells. By utilizing various immune cells and immune-related substances that regulate immune responses, immunotherapy aims to kill cancer cells, prevent recurrence and metastasis, and slow the progression of the disease.

Because its mechanism of action differs from traditional therapies surgery, which physically removes tumors; radiation therapy, which kills cancer with radiation; and chemotherapy, which directly destroys cancer cells with chemical compounds immunotherapy is expected to become the “fourth treatment method” for patients in whom conventional approaches are no longer effective.

The immune system is capable of detecting abnormal or mutated cells. However, cancer often develops mechanisms to evade immune surveillance, such as suppressing immune checkpoints, reducing antigen presentation, or creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Main Types of Cancer Immunotherapy

1. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors : Drugs that block proteins such as PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4, which normally act as “brakes” on immune responses.
2. Cancer Vaccines : Designed to stimulate an immune response against tumor-specific antigens (preventive or therapeutic).
3. Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT) : Includes CAR-T cells and other engineered immune cells reinfused into patients to fight tumors.
4. Monoclonal Antibodies : Lab-produced antibodies that bind cancer cell targets, marking them for immune destruction.
5. Cytokine Therapy : Uses signaling molecules like interleukins and interferons to boost immune activity.

Advantages of Cancer Immunotherapy

• Specificity: Selectively targets tumor cells while sparing healthy tissues.
• Durability: Can provide long-lasting remission due to immune memory.
• Combination Potential: Works synergistically with chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted drugs.

Challenges and Limitations

• Variable Response depending on tumor type and patient’s immune system.
• Immune-Related Side Effects due to excessive immune activation.
• High Cost and Complexity of advanced therapies like CAR-T cells.

Future Perspectives

Cancer immunotherapy continues to evolve as a powerful treatment strategy. With advances in biomarkers, genomic profiling, and artificial intelligence, treatments are becoming more personalized and precise. Researchers are working to expand its use across more cancer types, improve patient outcomes, and reduce toxicity, solidifying immunotherapy as a core pillar of cancer care alongside surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.