"Blockade of the PD-1 Receptor"

Blocking the PD-1 receptor involves using specialized medicines called immune checkpoint inhibitors to prevent PD-1 from turning off immune cells, specifically T cells. Under normal circumstances, PD-1 helps keep the immune system in check to avoid attacking the body's own tissues. However, some cancer cells exploit this mechanism by activating PD-1, which weakens the immune response against the tumor. By blocking PD-1, these treatments reactivate T cells, enabling them to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. This strategy is a form of cancer immunotherapy that enhances the body's natural ability to fight tumors.