immunotherapy

noun

im·​mu·​no·​ther·​a·​py ˌi-myə-nō-ˈther-ə-pē 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

: treatment or prevention of disease (such as an autoimmune disorder, allergy, or cancer) that involves the stimulation, enhancement, suppression, or desensitization of the immune system see adoptive immunotherapy

immunotherapeutic

ˌi-myə-nō-ˌther-ə-ˈpyü-tik 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

adjective

Examples of immunotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an IV immunotherapy that binds and activates T cells (part of the immune system) to find and kill cancer cells.9 Keytruda is approved as an adjuvant treatment for some people with stage 2 or stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer. —Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 20 Sep. 2024

And in fact there is really an incredible revolution afoot in the treatment of cancers using what’s known as immunotherapy. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024

Looking Ahead Ovarian tumors have proven tough opponents, standing their ground against cutting-edge immunotherapies like CAR T therapy and checkpoint inhibitors. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Cosgrove said that newer treatment approaches, such as immunotherapy, have been game changers in endometrial cancer, especially for patients with Lynch syndrome. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Immunotherapie, from immuno- immuno- + Therapie therapy

Note: The German word was introduced by Paul ehrlich in the lecture "Chemotherapie von Infektionskrankheiten," published in Zeitschrift für ärtzliche Fortbildung, 6. Jahrgang, Nummer 23 (1. Dezember 1909), pp. 721-33.

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing immunotherapy

• adoptive immunotherapy

Medical Definition

immunotherapy

noun

im·​mu·​no·​ther·​a·​py -ˈther-ə-pē 

plural immunotherapies

: treatment or prevention of disease (such as a cancer, autoimmune disorder, or allergy) that involves the stimulation, enhancement, suppression, or desensitization of the immune system

Demonstrating promise is immunotherapy, in which special medications are used to beef up the body's own cancer-fighting cells.

—Harvard Health Letter

If environmental control and pharmacotherapy fail to control symptoms, then allergen immunotherapy—also called hyposensitization or desensitization—may be considered.

—Discover

called also immune therapy

see adoptive immunotherapy

immunotherapeutic

-ˌther-ə-ˈpyüt-ik 

adjective

immunotherapeutic activity

immunotherapeutic methods