Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy: What’s the Difference?

The primary distinction between immunotherapy and chemotherapy lies in how they target cancer cells and their mechanisms of action. 

Immunotherapy doesn't target cancer cells directly. Instead, it stimulates the immune system to recognize and combat cancer cells more effectively. Several forms of immunotherapy are used today, including checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell transfers (ACTs), each with its unique mechanism and application.

Chemotherapy involves administering drugs that are toxic to cells, particularly those that are rapidly dividing, like cancer cells. This can be achieved through various mechanisms, such as interfering with DNA replication or the metabolic processes of cancer cells.

🧬 Get the full breakdown in our blog with the answers to the most FAQs about chemotherapy vs immunotherapy: https://www.cancerresearch.org/blog/d...

🤝 Meet Tom Vibert, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2012. Learn how one dose of immunotherapy changed his journey: https://www.cancerresearch.org/blog/r...

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About CRI

Established in 1953, the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing our immune system’s power to control and potentially cure all cancers. Our mission is to create a world immune to cancer by driving scientific discovery, accelerating collaboration, and turning breakthroughs into lifesaving treatments.

For over 70 years, CRI has driven breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy by funding groundbreaking research, supporting life-saving clinical trials, and expanding access to the latest treatments. Today, CRI continues to accelerate progress by uniting scientists, funders, and patients around the shared goal of advancing data-driven discovery worldwide.

📍 https://www.cancerresearch.org

Cancer Research Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 13-1837442. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.