How does immunotherapy work?

Cancer cells can avoid immune attack by using signals that switch immune cells off. Checkpoint inhibitor drugs block selected signals, allowing immune cells to respond more actively. Other immunotherapies may train, stimulate, or direct immune cells toward cancer. The treatment does not work in the same way for every tumour; the cancer type, its biomarkers, previous treatment, and general health influence whether it is considered. A response may take time to assess, and scans can sometimes look different while immune activity changes the tumour area.

Keep every treatment and monitoring appointment, and tell the team about new symptoms even if they seem mild. Record changes in bowel habits, breathing, skin, energy, thirst, urination, vision, or mood. Do not start a supplement or steroid medicine without checking first. Carry the treatment information provided by the oncology team, since immune effects can affect organs and may need a different response from ordinary chemotherapy effects.

Contact the care team urgently for new or worsening breathlessness, chest pain, severe diarrhoea, blood in stool, intense abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin, marked weakness, confusion, severe headache, new vision change, or very little urine. Immune-related adverse events can affect different organs and may worsen without treatment. Fever, shaking chills, or a sudden severe allergic symptom during or after an infusion also needs immediate medical attention.

What immune treatment is planned and why does it fit my cancer? Which symptoms should I report the same day? How will response and side effects be monitored? What medicines or vaccines should I discuss before treatment?