Immuncheckpointshämmare

Immunocheckpoints are molecules on immune cells that act as brakes to prevent the immune system from attacking healthy cells. These checkpoints play a crucial role in maintaining self-tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases. When these checkpoints are activated, they dampen the immune response. In the context of cancer, however, tumors can exploit these checkpoints to evade detection and destruction by the immune system.

Checkpoint inhibitors are a class of drugs designed to block these inhibitory signals. By blocking the interaction between checkpoint molecules on immune cells and their ligands on other cells, these drugs essentially release the brakes on the immune system. This allows T cells, a type of white blood cell, to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.

The development of immunocheckpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment, leading to significant improvements in survival for patients with various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. However, these therapies can also cause side effects, as the unleashed immune system may sometimes attack healthy tissues, leading to autoimmune-like reactions. Research continues to identify new checkpoint targets and improve strategies for managing these side effects.