What does the term 'biotherapy' refer to in cancer treatment?

The term 'biotherapy' in the context of cancer treatment specifically refers to the use of the body's immune system to fight cancer. This approach leverages biological agents, which can include substances made by the body or those synthesized in a laboratory, to enhance or restore the immune response against tumors. Biotherapy encompasses a variety of treatment modalities, such as monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, and vaccines, which aim to stimulate the immune system or modify its response to target cancer cells more effectively.

This method differs fundamentally from other treatments like those that target cancer directly, such as traditional chemotherapy, or the use of radiation, which physically damages cancer cells. While surgery may be employed to remove tumors, this is not classified as biotherapy, as it does not involve immunological mechanisms to combat the disease. Biotherapy is increasingly significant in oncology, as it aims to utilize the patient's own defenses, reducing some of the systemic side effects associated with conventional treatments.