While checkpoint inhibitors are the main type of immunotherapy, there are some other types that work in different ways. Several types of immunotherapy have been approved to treat particular cancers, and some are still being tested in clinical trials. Your cancer specialist can give you the latest information.
Type |
How it works |
Examples |
| immune stimulants | These treatments stimulate the immune system to attack cancer. |
|
| chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy |
CAR T-cell therapy boosts the ability of T-cells to fight the cancer. T-cells are removed from the blood and altered so they can better recognise cancer cells. The altered T-cells are then returned to the blood through an intravenous drip (infusion). |
|
| monoclonal antibodies |
The body’s immune system makes proteins called antibodies to help fight infections. Monoclonal antibodies are manufactured (synthetic) versions of natural antibodies. Some of these drugs are also classified as targeted therapy. |
|
Vaccines to prevent cancer
Some vaccines are not used to treat cancer, but can help prevent it. They do this by training the immune system to attack viruses that have been linked to certain cancers. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer and also offers some protection against anal and penile cancers and some head and neck cancers. You can read more about the HPV vaccine at hpvvaccine.org.au. Vaccines against the hepatitis B virus help prevent liver cancer. Visit health.gov.au and search for “hepatitis B immunisation” for more information.
Podcast: Immunotherapy & Targeted Therapy
Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer
Video: What is immunotherapy?
Watch this short video to learn more about drug therapies, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
More resources
A/Prof Rohit Joshi, Medical Oncologist, Calvary Central Districts Hospital and Lyell McEwin Hospital, and Director, Cancer Research, SA; Rebecca Blackwood and Meiling Zhou, Nurse Consultants, Head and Neck Cancer Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; James Cormack, Consumer; Prof Simon Harrison, Director, Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy and Haematologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Melbourne University, VIC; Dr Jia (Jenny) Liu, Medical Oncologist, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent’s Hospital and Senior Research Officer, Garvan Institute and ProCan Children’s Medical Research Institute, NSW; Angelica Miller, Melanoma Community Support Nurse, Melanoma Institute Australia, WA; Kate Moore, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Jason Sonneman, Consumer.
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