Immunotherapy:
harnessing the body’s power to fight disease

Immunotherapy refers to a range of treatments designed to support or stimulate the immune system. These include checkpoint inhibitors, which remove “brakes” on immune cells so they can recognise and destroy cancer cells. Other methods use antibodies or genetically modified immune cells, such as CAR T-cells. The goal is always to guide the immune system to target diseased cells without harming healthy ones. Treatments are typically administered via infusion or injection and are tailored to each individual patient.

The benefits of immunotherapy are remarkable. It often leads to long-lasting relief from symptoms and even cures in cases where traditional treatments fail. Because it targets only diseased cells, it tends to spare healthy tissue and causes fewer side effects than conventional therapies. One of its greatest strengths is the long-term “memory effect”: once activated, the immune system can continue to recognise and fight cancer cells even after treatment ends, significantly reducing the risk of relapse. Ongoing advancements in this field are paving the way for even more effective combination therapies in the future.