Immunotherapy

Checkpoint inhibitor therapy
is a form of cancer immunotherapy. The therapy targets immune checkpoints, key regulators of the immune system that when stimulated can dampen the immune response to an immunologic stimulus. Some cancers can protect themselves from attack by stimulating immune checkpoint targets. Checkpoint therapy can block inhibitory checkpoints, restoring immune system function. Checkpoint inhibition has already become a primary treatment modality for patients with a broad diversity of cancers, resulting in significantly prolonged survival in some patients. They are currently used in the treatment of several cancers including lung cancer, skin cancer, urinary bladder cancer, kidner cancer, oral cavity cancer, etc. Several Immunotherapy medicines are available for clinical use. These medicines are given through intra venous injections, generally over a period of 30-60 minutes. Examples include pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, nivolumab, durvalumab, avelumab, etc.