Which type of biotherapy utilizes the body's immune system to fight cancer?

Immunotherapy is a specialized form of biotherapy that harnesses the body's immune system to recognize and combat cancer cells. It enhances the immune response against tumors by various mechanisms, such as stimulating immune cells, using checkpoint inhibitors to release the brakes on the immune system, and employing engineered antibodies or vaccines designed to trigger a more robust immune response.

This approach is distinct from other types of cancer treatment, as it focuses on leveraging the body's natural defenses rather than directly targeting the cancer with drugs like in chemotherapy, which kills rapidly dividing cells indiscriminately. While biological response modifiers are also related to biotherapy and can influence the immune system, they are more about altering the body’s biological processes rather than utilizing the immune system directly against cancer. Targeted therapy, on the other hand, specifically targets molecular abnormalities within cancer cells and does not primarily involve the immune system. These distinctions are crucial in understanding the specific role each therapy plays in oncology.