Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy

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Cancer Immunology

Cancer Immunology (pronunciation: /ˈkænsər ˌɪm.juː.nɒl.ə.dʒi/) is a branch of Immunology that studies the interaction between the immune system and cancer cells (also known as tumors or neoplasms). The term originates from the Latin cancer meaning "crab" and the Greek immunis meaning "exempt", and logia meaning "study of".

Cancer Immunology is based on the concept that the immune system, when functioning properly, can detect and destroy abnormal cells to prevent the development of cancer. This is known as immunosurveillance. However, cancer cells can evade the immune system through various mechanisms, leading to the progression of the disease.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy (pronunciation: /ˌɪm.juː.noʊˈθɛrəpi/) is a type of cancer treatment that uses the power of the body's immune system to prevent, control, and eliminate cancer. The term is derived from the Greek immunis meaning "exempt", and therapeia meaning "healing".

Immunotherapy can be categorized into two main types: active and passive. Active immunotherapy aims to stimulate the immune system to attack tumor cells, while passive immunotherapy involves the use of therapeutic antibodies to target tumor cells directly.

Related Terms

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors: These are drugs that block certain proteins made by some types of immune system cells, such as T cells, and some cancer cells. These proteins help keep immune responses in check and can keep T cells from killing cancer cells.
  • CAR T-cell therapy: This is a type of treatment in which a patient's T cells (a type of immune system cell) are changed in the laboratory so they will attack cancer cells.
  • Oncolytic virus therapy: This is a type of immunotherapy that uses genetically modified viruses to kill cancer cells.
  • Cancer vaccines: These are substances introduced into the body to stimulate an immune response against cancer cells.

See Also

External links

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