TVG Immunotherapy Introduction

Immunotherapy Introduction
Immunotherapy for cancer is essentially the stimulation of the immune system via a variety of reagents such as vaccines, infusion of T cells, or cytokines. These reagents act through one of several mechanisms: 1) by stimulating the antitumor response, either by increasing the number of effector cells or by producing one or more soluble mediators such as lymphokines; 2) by decreasing suppressor mechanisms; 3) by altering tumor cells to increase their immunogenicity and make them more susceptible to immunologic defenses; and 4) by improving tolerance to cytotoxic drugs or radiotherapy, such as stimulating bone marrow function with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).
Read more by Dr. Mary L. Disis on Tumor Immunology \| View the 2007 Open House Immunotherapy Slides