imunoterapije

Imunoterapije are medical interventions that harness or enhance the body's immune system to combat diseases, most notably cancer. By stimulating immune activity, guiding immune cells to recognize malignant cells, or removing inhibitory signals, imunoterapije can induce tumor control and, in some cases, long-lasting remissions.

They can be categorized as active immunotherapy, which aims to elicit a broader immune response in the patient; passive immunotherapy, which provides immune components produced outside the body; and adoptive cell transfer, which involves engineering or expanding immune cells before infusion.

Common modalities include immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as antibodies against PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4) that release brakes on T cells; monoclonal antibodies that target tumor antigens; cytokines such as interleukins and interferons; cancer vaccines that aim to boost tumor-specific responses; oncolytic viruses that selectively infect tumor cells; and bispecific T-cell engagers that bring T cells into contact with cancer cells. CAR-T cell therapy is a prominent example of adoptive cell transfer.

Indications are strongest in oncology, where imunoterapije have produced durable responses in several cancers, including melanoma, lung, kidney, and some lymphomas. They are also investigated for infectious diseases and autoimmune conditions, often within research settings. Side effects reflect heightened immune activity and can involve skin, gut, endocrine organs, lungs, and liver; management typically requires careful monitoring and, in severe cases, immunosuppressive treatment.

The development of imunoterapije began in the late 20th century, with growth through the 2000s and 2010s, leading to approved therapies that complement traditional treatments. Ongoing research seeks to expand efficacy, identify predictive biomarkers, and reduce toxicity.