Ónæmismeðferða

Ónæmismeðferða, also known as immunotherapy, is a type of medical treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight disease. This approach harnesses the power of the immune system, which is naturally designed to identify and destroy harmful substances like viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells. In the context of disease, immunotherapy can be used to either boost the immune system's ability to attack diseased cells or to modulate its response when it is overactive or misdirected.

There are several forms of immunotherapy. One common type involves using drugs that stimulate the immune system, helping it recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. This can involve using checkpoint inhibitors, which block proteins that prevent the immune system from attacking cancer. Another approach is adoptive cell transfer, where immune cells are taken from a patient, enhanced in a lab to better target cancer, and then reinfused into the patient. Vaccines, both for preventing and treating diseases, are also a form of immunotherapy, teaching the immune system to recognize and respond to specific pathogens or cancer cells.

Immunotherapy has shown significant promise in treating various conditions, particularly certain types of cancer. It can lead to durable remissions and has become a standard treatment option for many patients. However, like all medical treatments, immunotherapy can also have side effects, as stimulating the immune system can sometimes lead to autoimmune reactions where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. The development of immunotherapy represents a major advancement in medicine, offering new hope and treatment avenues for a range of diseases.