Immunotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: How It Works

Immunotherapy 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.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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