How does cancer immunotherapy work?

Traditionally, cancer treatment has revolved around chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. But today, we have another treatment option for many cancers: immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy can include immune checkpoint inhibitors as well as cell therapies, such as CAR T cell therapy and CAR NK (natural killer cells).

The first immune checkpoint inhibitor, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011, was invented by Jim Allison, Ph.D. His groundbreaking research behind that invention earned him the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Immunotherapy already has benefited patients with many cancer types, and the future holds even more promise. Through initiatives like the James P. Allison Institute and the Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation, MD Anderson researchers are leading the development of new immunotherapies and powerful combinations, with a goal to make immunotherapy an option for all patients. By working together, our clinicians and scientists are delivering new breakthroughs in ways only possible here at MD Anderson.

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Learn about the James P. Allison Institute at MD Anderson: https://www.mdanderson.org/research/d...

Learn about MD Anderson’s Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation: https://www.mdanderson.org/research/d...