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Tumor Immunotherapy

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...

Targeted Cancer Therapies

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...

Cancer Therapies

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...

Cancer Therapies

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine

Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine

Published on: February 24, 2023

Advances in cancer immunotherapy.

Adam E Snook¹, Scott A Waldman

¹Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. adam.snook@jefferson.edu

Discovery Medicine

|March 2, 2013

Summary

Cancer immunotherapy aims to harness the immune system's protective power, similar to vaccines, for long-term cancer treatment. Recent advancements indicate this field is shifting from experimental to established therapeutic approaches.

Area of Science:

Immunology and Oncology
Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

The immune system offers unparalleled specificity, potency, and memory, exemplified by lifelong vaccine protection.
Pharmacological treatments lack the safety, efficacy, and longevity of vaccines.
Translating immune system characteristics to cancer treatment has been a long-standing goal.

Purpose of the Study:

To review promising cancer immunotherapy approaches currently under development.
To highlight the transition of cancer immunotherapy from experimental to established therapy based on recent clinical successes.

Main Methods:

Review of current scientific literature and clinical trial data on cancer immunotherapy.
Analysis of recent clinical successes in cancer immunotherapy.

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Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine

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Advances in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Expressing Natural Killer Cells

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Published on: February 14, 2025

Main Results:

Despite historical challenges over 125 years, significant progress has been made in cancer immunotherapy.
Emerging immunotherapeutic strategies show considerable promise.
Recent clinical outcomes suggest a paradigm shift in cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

Cancer immunotherapy is demonstrating potential to achieve the safety, efficacy, and durability seen in vaccines.
The field is poised to transition into a mainstream therapeutic modality for cancer treatment.
Continued research and clinical validation are crucial for realizing the full potential of cancer immunotherapy.