Immunotherapy and Cancer Treatment
Start with the big picture
The lesson surveys cancer immunotherapy by treatment class and mechanism. It explains how CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors can restore T-cell activity against tumor neoantigens, and introduces biomarkers used to help predict treatment response. It also reviews monoclonal antibodies that target tumor-associated markers or growth signals, including conjugated antibodies and the bispecific engager blinatumomab. Adoptive cell therapy is covered through CAR-T treatment and its key toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. The topic further introduces cytokine therapies and oncolytic viruses, emphasizing how immunotherapy differs from conventional cytotoxic treatment and the immune-related adverse effects clinicians need to recognize.
What you'll learn
- Describe the major classes of cancer immunotherapy.
- Explain how CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 inhibitors restore antitumor T-cell activity.
- Identify biomarkers used to predict response to checkpoint inhibitors.
- Distinguish key monoclonal antibody and CAR-T approaches by target or mechanism.
- Recognize important immune-related adverse effects and treatment-associated toxicities.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
