Immunotherapy

Our immune system works to protect the body against infection, illness and disease. It can also protect us from the development of cancer.

The immune system includes the lymph glands, spleen and white blood cells. Normally, it can spot and destroy faulty cells in the body, stopping cancer developing. But a cancer might develop when:

The immune system recognises cancer cells but it is not strong enough to kill the cancer cells
The cancer cells produce signals that stop the immune system from attacking it
The cancer cells hide or escape from the immune system

Immunotherapy works by using your own immune system to fight cancer. It teaches your immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells. Immunotherapy may also be referred to as targeted therapy or biological therapy. It can be given in isolation or in combination with traditional chemotherapy drugs.