immune checkpoint inhibitor

[ ih-myoon chek-point in-hib-i-ter ]

noun

, Immunology, Pharmacology.

1. a drug that targets and blocks certain proteins produced by T cells and other immune system cells in order to minimize the proteins’ restraints on cell activity, thereby freeing those cells to kill cancer cells more effectively.

Word History and Origins

Origin of immune checkpoint inhibitor¹

First recorded in 1970–75