How does immunotherapy function in cancer treatment?

Immunotherapy functions in cancer treatment by stimulating the patient's immune system to attack cancer cells. This approach harnesses the body's own immune system to recognize and fight cancer more effectively. Unlike traditional treatments that might directly target tumor cells, immunotherapy enhances the natural ability of the immune system to identify and eradicate cancer cells. This can be accomplished through various mechanisms, such as the use of checkpoint inhibitors, which help to remove the "brakes" on the immune response, or employing monoclonal antibodies that mark cancer cells for destruction.

Engaging the immune system in this way can lead to long-lasting responses against the cancer and can even help prevent recurrence. This is particularly significant as it opens new avenues for treating cancers that have been resistant to other forms of treatment.

In contrast, options involving replacing diseased organs or promoting rapid cell division do not directly engage the immune system and are unrelated to immunotherapy. Additionally, while radiation therapy may effectively kill cancer cells, it works through a different mechanism compared to immunotherapy, focusing on delivering high doses of energy to destroy the cells directly rather than leveraging the immune response.