Immunotherapy research explores training the immune system to detect tumors

Research into immunotherapy explores how the immune system can be trained to identify and attack cancer cells. While the immune system naturally patrols for mutations, tumor cells often evade detection because they originate from the body's own cells and retain many normal characteristics.

Traditional cancer treatments have relied on surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, immunotherapy represents a shift by assisting the immune system in performing its role. A key mechanism involves immune checkpoint inhibitors, which release the biological 'brakes' that tumors often exploit to remain hidden from the body's defenses.