What is the mechanism of action for nonspecific immunotherapies?

Nonspecific immunotherapies work by broadly stimulating the immune system, rather than targeting specific cancer cells or antigens. This general activation can involve enhancing various immune responses, including the activity of multiple immune cell types like T cells, B cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. The goal is to bolster the overall immune response to tumor cells, making the immune system more effective at recognizing and eliminating malignant cells.

This mechanism contrasts with specific immunotherapies, which focus on targeting specific cancer antigens, thereby eliciting an immune response directed at those antigens only. Similarly, immune checkpoint inhibitors block specific pathways that tumors use to evade the immune response, and therapies designed to enhance natural killer cell activity would specifically mobilize those cells rather than providing a general immune boost. Hence, the correct understanding of the mechanism of action for nonspecific immunotherapies emphasizes their role in activating the immune system in an overarching manner.