Checkpoint inhibitors, autologous whole tumor cancer vaccine, dendritic cell vaccine, supportive oligonucleotide (SOT)

Cancer immunotherapy works through the immune system to control cancer, therefore it directly targets the immune cell rather than the tumor cell. Cancer immunotherapy is aimed at restoring or enhancing the capability of immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Cancer immunotherapy is a personalized medicine because each patient has his or her own unique immune response to cancer. The uniqueness of immune responses to cancer is not only determined by the diversity and specificity of her immune system but also by the recognition of tumor antigens within each patient. T-lymphocyte cell function is of critical importance. The optimal dose and the timing of immunotherapy is essential. Obtaining needed biomarkers to identify and evaluate the response to immunotherapy is vital.

The first checkpoint inhibitor was Yervoy, an antibody that targets CTL A–4. Keytruda is a PD–1 inhibitor that has now been approved for many cancers. There are many other such as PD L1 inhibitors.

The immune system is a network of cells, signals, and organs that help protect against dangerous pathogens and cancer. All types of white blood cells have roles in the immune system. The immune cells that respond in cancer early are part of the innate immune response and include neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages derived from monocytes. Immune felt that response later to specifically targeted antigens presented cells, also called dendritic cells and macrophages. They are involved in the adaptive immune response and include helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells.

The immune system plays a dual role in cancer and has both antitumor and pro-tumor effects. On the one hand, our immune cells can recognize and eliminate tumor cells, including the killing of virus-infected cells. On the other hand, the immune system may exert the pressure that shapes the antigens displayed by the tumor cells leading to invasion of the immune system and cancer promotion. One of the hallmarks of cancer is the escape from the immune response. Overall, the role of the immune system is influenced by the tumor, and the tumor is affected by the immune system.