Immune therapy : checkpoint inhibitors

 

What is immune-modulating therapy ?

Immune-modulating therapies are medications that alter the way that the immune system works. Because sarcoidosis is associated with an overreaction of the immune system, suppressing part or all of the immune response can help manage symptoms and prevent permanent damage.



What does an immune modulator do?

A substance that stimulates or suppresses the immune system and may help the body fight cancer, infection, or other diseases. Specific immune system modulators, such as monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, and vaccines, affect specific parts of the immune system.


What drugs are checkpoint inhibitors?
PD-L1 inhibitors: Examples of drugs that target PD-L1 include: Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) Avelumab (Bavencio) Durvalumab (Imfinzi).
ipilimumab (Yervoy®) blocks a checkpoint protein called CTLA-4. 
pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) and nivolumab (Opdivo®), target another checkpoint protein called PD-1.

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