ADVANCES IN ONCOLOGICAL IMMUNOTHERAPY: FUTURE PERSPECTIVES AND ETHICAL CHALLENGES

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.15953325281010

• Palavras-chave: Immunotherapy; Oncology; CAR-T; Checkpoint inhibitors; Bioethics.

• Keywords: Immunotherapy; Oncology; CAR-T; Checkpoint inhibitors; Bioethics.

• Abstract:

  Oncological immunotherapy represents one of the greatest advances in modern medicine, ushering in a new era of targeted treatments that stimulate the immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. This literature review article addresses the main mechanisms of immunotherapy—such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapies, and personalized antitumor vaccines—and discusses their clinical applications, recent technological advances, and ethical challenges. Studies published between 2014 and 2024 in the PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases were reviewed. It is concluded that immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of various types of cancer, although it still faces barriers related to high cost, serious adverse effects, and unequal access, especially in developing countries.