Immunotherapy

Question 1

How does immunotherapy for cancer work?

Answer 1

Can activate the host immune response, induce an immune response or respond to a specific antigen

Question 2

How do monoclonal antibodies work?

What is an example?

Answer 2

Bind to antigen on cancer cell surface to prevent further proliferation

Trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Question 3

How do checkpoint inhibitors work?

Answer 3

Some cancer cells have the ability to deactivate T cells. Checkpoint inhibitors block the protein that does this therefore meaning T cells can function again

Question 4

What are some side effects of checkpoint inhibitors and how are they managed?

Answer 4

Because the drugs boost the immune system, side effects are generally autoimmune and therefore managed with CORTICOSTEROIDS

• diarrhoea
• dermatitis
• hypothyroid, adrenal
• hepatitis
• pneumonitis