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Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: How It Works
Oncologist Stefan Balan, MD, explains what immunotherapy is and how it helps treat advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer.
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on August 31, 2023Immunotherapy works by helping your body’s own immune system to identify and attack cancer cells. Because it is more precise in the cells it attacks, immunotherapy usually causes much fewer side effects than chemotherapy. Immunotherapy is an option for patients with stage III or stage IV lung cancer.
If you’re not a candidate for immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer, there are other treatments that may help. Find out how chemoradiation can treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Additional Medical Contributors
- Stefan Balan, MD, EMBAStefan Balan, MD, EMBA, is the Chief of Oncology and Hematology at Winchester Hospital, Beth Israel Lahey Clinic, and was formerly at RWJBarnabas Health in Jersey City, NJ.
References
American Cancer Society. (2022). Immune checkpoint inhibitors and their side effects.
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Monoclonal antibody.
View All References (1)
National Cancer Institute. (2023). Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ) - patient version.
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