What are 'checkpoint' immunotherapy drugs? | Immunotherapy | Cancer Research UK

Summary

The immune system plays a crucial role in identifying and destroying unhealthy cells, such as those infected by viruses. However, cancer cells complicate this process by employing strategies to evade detection, including the production of molecules like PDL-1, which signal immune cells to ignore them. Researchers are developing new immunotherapies that disrupt this interaction, enabling the immune system to effectively target and combat cancer. These advancements are transforming cancer treatment, offering new hope for patients.

Takeaways

• 🛡️ Immune cells play a crucial role in protecting the body by patrolling the blood for potential threats.
• 🔍 These cells distinguish between healthy and unhealthy tissues to identify issues like infections.
• 🦠 Infected cells display unique molecules that signal their damaged state, prompting immune responses.
• ❌ Infected cells can self-destruct when recognized by the immune system due to specific signaling.
• 🎭 Cancer complicates immune responses, as tumors develop ways to evade detection by the immune system.
• 🧩 Tumors can produce molecules like PDL-1, which mislead immune cells into ignoring cancerous cells.
• 💊 Researchers are developing drugs to block these deceptive processes, enhancing the immune response against cancer.
• ⚔️ Immunotherapies are emerging as a new way to treat certain cancers by reactivating the immune system.
• 🌱 These advancements signify a shift in cancer treatment strategies, targeting the immune system directly.
• ✨ Understanding immune responses to cancer is critical for developing effective therapies.

Q & A

What role do immune cells play in the body?

Immune cells protect the body by patrolling the blood for potential problems and traveling to sites of infection or damage.

How do immune cells distinguish between healthy and unhealthy tissues?

Immune cells recognize the difference by identifying unique molecules displayed on the surfaces of infected or damaged cells compared to healthy cells.

What happens to cells infected by a virus?

Infected cells need to be destroyed, and immune cells signal these cells to self-destruct by recognizing signs of disease.

Why is the detection of cancer more complicated?

Cancer cells can evade detection by the immune system, which makes it harder for immune cells to recognize and attack them.

What mechanism do tumors use to avoid detection by the immune system?

Tumors can produce molecules that trick the immune system into ignoring them, one of which is called PDL-1.

What is the function of PDL-1 in the context of cancer?

PDL-1 interacts with a receptor on immune cells, signaling them to ignore the cancer cells, thus allowing the tumor to grow unchecked.

How have researchers responded to the challenges posed by PDL-1?

Researchers have developed drugs that interfere with the PDL-1 mechanism, allowing the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

What impact have new immunotherapies had on cancer treatment?

For some types of cancer, these new immunotherapies have significantly changed the way the disease is treated by enhancing the immune response.

What are some benefits of immunotherapy in cancer treatment?

Immunotherapy can provide a targeted approach to cancer treatment, potentially leading to fewer side effects compared to traditional therapies like chemotherapy.

Can all cancers be treated with the same immunotherapy methods?

No, the effectiveness of immunotherapy can vary among different types of cancer, and ongoing research is needed to optimize treatment strategies.