Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment which assists the body's immune system to fight cancer.

Types of immunotherapy

• Checkpoint inhibitors - Proteins called "checkpoints", on the surface of T-cells can stop the immune system from attacking cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors are drugs designed to block these proteins to enable the T-cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells. These types of drugs are currently the most widely used form of immunotherapy. Some are subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
• Immune stimulants - Some immunotherapy treatments aim to stimulate the immune system so it reactivates and attacks cancer cells.

How often and how long you receive immunotherapy may depend on:

• the type of immunotherapy
• the type of cancer
• how advanced the cancer is
• how you respond to treatment
• the side effects you may experience.

Checkpoint inhibitors are usually given with an injection into a vein (intraveneously).

When immunotherapy is used to treat some melanoma cases, a cream called imiquimond may be applied directly to the affected area.

Sometimes more than one type of immunotherapy drug is prescribed. Immunotherapy drugs appear to keep working for varying periods of time and in some cases can keep working long after other treatments are no longer used.

What are the side effects of immunotherapy?

Side effects from immunotherapy can vary depending on the type of treatment you receive and how your body responds. The side effects of checkpoint immunotherapy are different from those of other cancer treatments.

Common side effects include:

• fatigue
• skin rash
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• dry eyes
• joint pain.