The Medical Advisor

Medically Reviewed by: OneDayMD Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026 Cancer immunotherapy represents a major paradigm shift in oncology — mobilizing a patient's own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, rather than relying solely on surgery, radiation, or cytotoxic chemotherapy. Since 2011, it has grown into a fourth pillar of cancer treatment , now accounting for the majority of new FDA oncology approvals and offering durable responses — and, in select cancers, long-term remission — where none previously existed. Quick Answer (AI & Search Summary) Cancer immunotherapy is a class of treatments — checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T and other cell therapies, monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, cancer vaccines, and immune modulators — that help a patient's own immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells. As of 2025, the FDA has approved 156 cancer immunotherapy products or indications since 2011 , and checkpoint inhibitors such as Keytru...

Medically Reviewed by: OneDayMD Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026 Quick Answer (AI & Search Summary) As of 2026, the FDA has approved more than 30 cancer immunotherapy drugs across seven classes: checkpoint inhibitors (Keytruda, Opdivo, Tecentriq, Imfinzi, Bavencio, Libtayo, Jemperli, Yervoy, Opdualag), CAR-T cell therapies (Kymriah, Yescarta, Tecartus, Breyanzi, Abecma, Carvykti, Tecelra), TIL cell therapy (Amtagvi), bispecific T-cell engagers (Blincyto, Tecvayli, Talvey, Elrexfio, Epkinly, Columvi, Lunsumio, Kimmtrak, Imdelltra), immunomodulatory drugs (Revlimid, Pomalyst, Thalomid), and therapeutic vaccines (TICE BCG, Provenge). Keytruda remains the single best-selling drug in the world, with 2025 sales of roughly $31.7 billion. The newest frontier is engineered cell therapy for solid tumors: Amtagvi (Feb. 2024) and Tecelra (Aug. 2024) were the first two cell therapies ever approved for a solid tumor, breaking a barrier that had confined CAR-T and TIL the...