Unleashing Immunity: CTLA-4 Inhibition in Cancer Therapy
Unleashing the Immune System: A Deep Dive into CTLA-4 Inhibition Our immune system is a complex and powerful network of cells and proteins that constantly work to protect us from harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, and even cancer. But sometimes, this intricate system needs a little help, and that's where immunotherapies like CTLA-4 inhibition come into play. Understanding the Enemy: The Brakes on Our Immune System Imagine your immune system as a car – it has an accelerator to go after pathogens and brakes to prevent overreaction and damage to healthy tissues. One of the key "brakes" is a protein called Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Protein 4 (CTLA-4). While essential for regulating immune responses, CTLA-4 can also be exploited by cancer cells...