Track 3:Immunotherapy

Sub Tracks:

• Checkpoint Inhibitors → CAR-T Cell Therapy → Monoclonal Antibodies → Cancer Vaccines → Cytokine Therapy → Oncolytic Virus Therapy → Adoptive T Cell Therapy

What is immunotherapy ?

Immunotherapy is a type of medical treatment that harnesses the body’s immune system to fight diseases, particularly cancer. Unlike conventional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, which target cancer cells directly, immunotherapy works by enhancing the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy harmful cells.

Key Features:

·  Focus on the Immune System: It activates or modifies immune responses rather than targeting the disease directly.

·  Precision: Often more targeted, potentially leading to fewer side effects than traditional treatments.

·  Adaptability: May provide long-term protection by "teaching" the immune system to remember and attack specific targets.

Applications:

·  Cancer: The most common use, targeting tumors or metastatic cancer cells.

·  Autoimmune Disorders: Modifying the immune response to reduce overactivity.

·  Infectious Diseases: Boosting immunity to fight chronic infections.

·  Allergies and Asthma: Modulating immune responses to allergens.

Types of Immunotherapy:

1.     Checkpoint Inhibitors: Block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer.

2.     CAR-T Cell Therapy: Modifies T cells to better identify and kill cancer cells.

3.     Monoclonal Antibodies: Lab-made molecules that bind to specific targets on cells.

4.     Cancer Vaccines: Stimulate an immune response against cancer-specific antigens.

5.     Cytokine Therapy: Uses proteins like interleukins or interferons to boost immune activity.

6.     Oncolytic Virus Therapy: Engineered viruses that infect and destroy cancer cells.

7.     Adoptive T Cell Therapy: Uses patient-derived T cells, enhanced and reintroduced into the body.