Immunotherapy

Close-up of a physician examining an x-ray.

Immunotherapy To Heal From Within

Your body is stronger than you know. And thanks to recent advancements in cancer treatment, your immune system can play a promising role in helping treat your cancer. Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy or biotherapy, harnesses the natural power of your own immune system to keep cancer cells from growing and spreading.

What Is Immunotherapy?
How Does Immunotherapy Work?

What Is Immunotherapy?

Your immune system is built to protect you. With immunotherapy, you can boost its natural healing powers.

Immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that can help your body fight back against cancer in two primary ways:

Stimulating your immune system to target cancer cells, empowering it to identify and attack them
Infusing your body with immune system components, such as artificial immune system proteins

How Does Immunotherapy Work?

There are four main types of immunotherapy most commonly used for treating certain types of cancer:

Monoclonal antibodies are artificial versions of immune system proteins that can be designed to attack a very specific part of a cancer cell
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a combination of drugs that can help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells
Cancer vaccines can help jump-start an immune response against certain diseases
Other non-specific immunotherapies boost your immune system in a general way

Your physician and Nurse Navigator will talk you through the immunotherapy process, from choosing a specific immunotherapy treatment to managing the potential side effects. We'll even provide guidance about what to eat (and why) to restore your whole health. You'll never be in this alone.