immunotherapy

noun

im·​mu·​no·​ther·​a·​py ˌi-myə-nō-ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce immunotherapy (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of immunotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Astra’s keepers are currently training her to accept administration of immunotherapy under her tongue. Jen McCaffery, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024 The company’s immunotherapy drug Keytruda recorded $7.43 billion in revenue during the quarter, up 17% from the year-earlier period. Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024 But a new study has shown that an existing immunotherapy could stop scar tissue formation after heart attacks. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024 This insight could also benefit CAR T therapy, another revolutionary immunotherapy. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for immunotherapy 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of immunotherapy was in 1910

Dictionary Entries Near immunotherapy

Cite this Entry

“Immunotherapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunotherapy. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

immunotherapy

noun
im·​mu·​no·​ther·​a·​py -ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce immunotherapy (audio)
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 adjective
immunotherapeutic activity
immunotherapeutic methods

More from Merriam-Webster on immunotherapy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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