What is the role of immunotherapy in oncology?

Immunotherapy plays a critical role in oncology by enhancing the body's immune response against cancer cells. This therapeutic approach leverages the natural abilities of the immune system to recognize and attack malignant cells, which can lead to improved outcomes for patients.

By using various methods—such as checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and cancer vaccines—immunotherapy aims to empower the immune system to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells more effectively. This can result in the targeting of tumors, even those that may have been overlooked by standard treatments.

The other options do not accurately describe the specific mechanism or purpose of immunotherapy in the context of cancer treatment. While reducing inflammation may be a secondary effect in some cases, it is not the primary goal of immunotherapy. Similarly, immunotherapy is not exclusively a last resort but is increasingly being integrated as a frontline treatment in various cancers. Finally, although some targeted therapies do focus on genetic alterations in cancer cells, this concept is distinct from the overarching principles of immunotherapy, which centers on the immune system's response rather than direct genetic targeting.