Basic Overview of Current Immunotherapy Approaches in Cancer

Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2016:35:298-308. doi: 10.1200/EDBK_156572.

Abstract

Recent success of immunotherapy strategies such as immune checkpoint blockade in several malignancies has established the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer. Cancers use multiple mechanisms to co-opt the host-tumor immune interactions, leading to immune evasion. Our understanding of the host-tumor interactions has evolved over the past few years and led to various promising new therapeutic strategies. This article will focus on the basic principles of immunotherapy, novel pathways/agents, and combinatorial immunotherapies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy