immunotherapy

American  

[im-yuh-noh-ther-uh-pee, ih-myoo-] / ˌɪm yə noʊˈθɛr ə pi, ɪˌmyu- /

noun

plural

immunotherapies

1. treatment designed to produce immunity to a disease or enhance the resistance of the immune system to an active disease process, as cancer.

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immunotherapy British  

/ ˌɪmjʊnəʊˈθɛrəpɪ, ˌɪmjʊnəʊˌθɛrəˈpjuːtɪk /

noun

1. med the treatment of disease by stimulating the body's production of antibodies

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Other Word Forms

• immunotherapeutic adjective

Etymology

Origin of immunotherapy

First recorded in 1905–10; immuno- + therapy

Example Sentences

An NHS spokesperson said it was "currently supporting a trial to gather more evidence on the use of oral immunotherapy for food allergies, while also developing guidance to support local services to improve allergy care".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

They were given the RP1 oncolytic virus therapy, in addition to an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy that is a first-line melanoma treatment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

This research is part of a broader trend in cancer immunotherapy that goes beyond guiding the immune system and instead focuses on upgrading how it functions at a fundamental level.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

After years of battling cancer, legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale said in a statement that he has melanoma in his lung and liver cavity and will be starting immunotherapy soon.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Ideaya’s treatment targets an aggressive form of uveal melanoma that generally has a poor prognosis because it occurs in patients who lack the genetic marker to receive typical immunotherapy.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026