Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy: Enhancing the Immune Response and Addressing Therapeutic Challenges

Abstract

Cancer is the top cause of death around the world. In 2022, nearly 20 million people were diagnosed with cancer, and about 9.7 million died from it. In China, almost 5 million new cancer cases were reported, with over 2.5 million fatalities. Immunotherapy is a new way to treat cancer. It boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. This method is less harmful to patients and more precise than older treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. There are different kinds of immunotherapy, including vaccines, treatments with substances that boost the immune system, transferring cells, and blocking proteins that stop the immune system from working. Even though immunotherapy is helpful, it can have side effects and tumors can become resistant to it. Each person’s tumor is unique, which makes treatment tricky. Sometimes, tumors can change and resist the therapy. We also don’t have enough markers to tailor treatments to each person’s needs. This review discusses the response of immune system, and how immunotherapy can be used to treat cancer.