Immune checkpoint inhibitor

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

(ih-MYOON CHEK-poynt in-HIH-bih-ter) A type of drug that blocks certain proteins made by some types of immune system cells, such as T cells, and some cancer cells. These proteins help keep immune responses in check and can keep T cells from killing cancer cells. When these proteins are blocked, the “brakes” on the immune system are released and T cells are able to kill cancer cells better. Examples of checkpoint proteins found on T cells or cancer cells include PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4/B7-1/B7-2. Some immune checkpoint inhibitors are used to treat cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor Resources
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Contributors: Bonnu, Prab R. Tumpati, MD