APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. a biological therapy that uses natural or laboratory-manufactured substances to modify the immune system’s reaction to disease. Immunotherapy can either stimulate the immune system to fight off diseases, such as some cancers (e.g., melanoma, lung cancer, leukemia) and infections, or suppress the immune system to stop excessive reactions, such as those experienced in autoimmune diseases or as side effects to certain cancer treatments. Vaccination, targeted use of manufactured monoclonal antibodies, cytokine therapy (e.g., with interferon), and use of growth and colony-stimulating factors are common immunotherapies. Also called biological response modifier (BRM) therapy; targeted immune modulation.