immunotherapy

noun

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

, i-ˌmyü-nō- \

Definition of immunotherapy

: 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

Other Words from immunotherapy Example Sentences Phrases Containing immunotherapy Learn More About immunotherapy

Examples of immunotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Roche said Wednesday that its experimental cancer immunotherapy directed against a target called TIGIT suffered its second consecutive setback, failing this time to slow tumor growth in a large study involving the most common type of lung cancer. — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 14 May 2022 These agents could be administered in outpatient settings, as are other chemotherapy or immunotherapy agents, improving access and lowering the cost. — Sophie Snyder, STAT, 25 Sep. 2021 The company’s immunotherapy - Tiragolumab - could not meet its endpoint in a late-stage clinical trial for a lung cancer subtype. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 5 July 2022 The difference, however, is that with immunotherapy, medical professionals know exactly what the person is allergic to and control the amount given to them, steadily increasing the amount over time. — Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 24 June 2022 By acquiring Seagen, Merck would bolster its lineup of cancer drugs, led by the blockbuster immunotherapy Keytruda, its top-selling product with $17.2 billion in sales last year. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 23 June 2022 Acquiring Seagen would help bolster its lineup of cancer drugs, led by the blockbuster immunotherapy Keytruda, Merck’s top-selling product with $17.2 billion in sales last year. — Cara Lombardo, WSJ, 17 June 2022 Patients in the trial took dostarlimab, an immunotherapy medicine that spurs patients’ immune systems to attack their cancers, every three weeks for six months. — Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 June 2022 During discussions about treatment, patients learn the lexicon of cancer — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and the like. — T. Salewa Oseni, STAT, 23 June 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'immunotherapy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for immunotherapy

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.

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Dictionary Entries Near immunotherapy

immunosuppressive

immunotherapy

immunotransfusion

Statistics for immunotherapy

Last Updated

12 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Immunotherapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunotherapy. Accessed 15 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for immunotherapy

immunotherapy

noun

im·mu·no·ther·a·py | \ -ˈther-ə-pē

plural immunotherapies

Medical Definition of immunotherapy

: 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

Other Words from immunotherapy

immunotherapeutic \ -ˌther-ə-ˈpyüt-ik

\ adjective

immunotherapeutic activity immunotherapeutic methods