Checkpoint inhibitors
PD-1 / PD-L1 (and sometimes CTLA-4) blockers given intravenously on a set schedule.
6 min read
Immunotherapy: helping your immune system recognise cancer
Immunotherapy uses medicines that help the immune system find and attack cancer cells. Dr. Dhar explains when checkpoint inhibitors and related approaches may fit your diagnosis — and when they may not.
What is immunotherapy?
Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks dividing cells directly, immunotherapy aims to restore or boost immune recognition of cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors are the most widely used class in solid tumours.
Not every cancer responds. Benefit depends on tumour type, biomarkers such as PD-L1 or MSI status, prior treatment, and overall health.
Side effects differ from chemotherapy — they can involve inflammation in organs such as the skin, gut, lungs, or endocrine glands, and need prompt recognition.
Who may be considered
Immunotherapy is a treatment category, not a diagnosis. It may be discussed if you have:
- Advanced or metastatic solid tumours with supportive evidence
- Lung, bladder, kidney, melanoma, or selected other cancers
- Biomarkers suggesting higher likelihood of response
- Disease that progressed after earlier therapy
- A plan combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy
Eligibility is individual. Biomarker results and prior history matter as much as the cancer name.
When to ask about immunotherapy
- Your report mentions PD-L1, MSI-high, or TMB
- Standard chemotherapy has stopped working
- Guidelines list immunotherapy for your stage and type
- You want to understand risks versus chemotherapy alone
- You need help managing immune-related side effects
What we review before recommending it
- 01Confirmed pathology and staging
- 02PD-L1, MSI/MMR, or other relevant biomarkers
- 03Prior systemic treatments and responses
- 04Autoimmune history and organ function
- 05Infection risk and performance status
- 06Whether combination with chemo or targeted therapy is better
QUICK CHECK
Does this apply to you?
Bring these points to your consultation.
Select anything that applies — then book a visit to review reports together.
Book appointmentHow immunotherapy is used
Dosing schedules, combinations, and duration vary by cancer type and regimen.
Chemo-immunotherapy
Combining immune drugs with chemotherapy can improve outcomes in selected lung and other cancers.
Biomarker-guided use
MSI-high or high PD-L1 tumours may be prioritised for immunotherapy when evidence is strong.
Toxicity management
Steroids and specialist input are used early if immune-related inflammation appears.
What to expect
01
Fit assessment
Confirm the cancer setting and biomarkers support immunotherapy.
What to prepare and expect
- Bring full pathology with biomarker pages
- Share autoimmune disease or transplant history
- List steroids or immunosuppressants you take
- Ask how response will be measured
Frequently asked questions
Not universally. For some cancers and biomarkers it can work better or longer; for others chemotherapy remains the better first step. Comparison is case-specific.
Chemo often causes hair loss, low counts, and nausea. Immunotherapy more often causes inflammatory side effects that can affect skin, gut, lungs, thyroid, or other organs.
Duration depends on cancer type, response, and tolerability — sometimes for a defined period, sometimes while benefit continues. Your plan will specify the intended course.
No. It is approved and effective only in specific settings. Using it without evidence can add risk without benefit.
LET'S TAKE THE NEXT STEPYour care deserves
Your care deserves
a conversation.
Share a few details and the clinic team will help arrange a consultation with Dr. Dhar. Prefer to talk now? Reach the appointment desk directly.
ClinicMarengo Asia HospitalsGurugram, HaryanaGet directions