Final answer:
Biotherapy immunotherapy includes drugs like interferons, interleukins, therapeutic vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies, which enhance the immune system's response to cancer. These drugs can be delivered using nanotechnology or alongside chemotherapy, and represent personalized medicine approaches to cancer treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biotherapy in Immunotherapy
Biotherapy is a form of immunotherapy that comprises various drugs aimed at enhancing the immune system's ability to combat cancer. The types of drugs used in this approach include interferons, interleukins (ILs), and therapeutic vaccines that help stimulate or augment the immune response. Moreover, the application of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) is a critical aspect of immunotherapy, employing mechanisms like blocking the function of targeted molecules, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and promoting apoptosis or phagocytosis of cancer cells.
In recent developments, these drugs are sometimes encapsulated in nanoparticles to target cancer cells more effectively and to activate various immunological pathways. Additionally, some treatments involve the co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents for a more integrated cancer management strategy.
Immunotherapy's goal is to boost anticancer responses potentially insufficient in naturally occurring immune defenses against rapidly dividing cancer cells. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, sometimes representing personalized medicine tailored to the individual patient's cancer characteristics.