immunotherapy

noun

im·​mu·​no·​ther·​a·​py ˌi-myə-nō-ˈther-ə-pē 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

: treatment or prevention of disease (such as an autoimmune disorder, allergy, or cancer) that involves the stimulation, enhancement, suppression, or desensitization of the immune system see adoptive immunotherapy

immunotherapeutic

ˌi-myə-nō-ˌther-ə-ˈpyü-tik 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

adjective

Examples of immunotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After months of aggressive treatment with chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy Gibbon’s cancer shrunk, but his lungs were sustaining irreversible damage. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2024

But the cost is really prohibitive to give patients immunotherapy in low- and middle-income countries. —Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 5 Feb. 2024

For a longer-term solution, consider talking to your doctor about immunotherapy. —Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2023

There are many types of cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy, among others. —Alexander Olawaiye, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2024

Your doctor may recommend immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or sublingual treatment (allergy drops), Mendez explained. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024

All immunotherapies come with risk of neurological side effects, including confusion, language difficulties and sleepiness. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024

Unlike oral immunotherapy, Xolair is an anti-IgE injection, according to Wood. —Amanda Musa, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024

Along with those shots, the patients received the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab and an adjuvant — a substance that increases a vaccine’s effects. —Kenneth Miller, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Immunotherapie, from immuno- immuno- + Therapie therapy

Note: The German word was introduced by Paul ehrlich in the lecture "Chemotherapie von Infektionskrankheiten," published in Zeitschrift für ärtzliche Fortbildung, 6. Jahrgang, Nummer 23 (1. Dezember 1909), pp. 721-33.

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing immunotherapy

• adoptive immunotherapy

Medical Definition

immunotherapy

noun

im·​mu·​no·​ther·​a·​py -ˈther-ə-pē 

plural immunotherapies

: treatment or prevention of disease (such as a cancer, autoimmune disorder, or allergy) that involves the stimulation, enhancement, suppression, or desensitization of the immune system

Demonstrating promise is immunotherapy, in which special medications are used to beef up the body's own cancer-fighting cells.

—Harvard Health Letter

If environmental control and pharmacotherapy fail to control symptoms, then allergen immunotherapy—also called hyposensitization or desensitization—may be considered.

—Discover

called also immune therapy

see adoptive immunotherapy

immunotherapeutic

-ˌther-ə-ˈpyüt-ik 

adjective

immunotherapeutic activity

immunotherapeutic methods