checkpoint inhibitors
Checkpoint inhibitors are a type of cancer treatment that work by enhancing the body’s immune response against tumors. Cancer cells often exploit certain "checkpoints" in the immune system to avoid being attacked. Checkpoint inhibitors are medications that block these checkpoints, allowing immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. By removing the brakes on the immune system, these treatments can help the body fight cancer more efficiently, leading to improved outcomes for some patients with various types of cancer. They have revolutionized cancer therapy and are a key focus of ongoing research.
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Checkpoint inhibitors are a type of cancer treatment that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Normally, cancer cells can use certain proteins, called checkpoints, to evade detection by the immune system. Checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that block these proteins, essentially "lifting the brakes" on the immune response. By doing so, they allow the body's immune cells to target and destroy tumors more effectively. This approach is a significant advancement in cancer therapy, offering new options for patients, especially those whose cancers are hard to treat with traditional methods like chemotherapy.