Explained: How Do Checkpoint Inhibitors Work?

The immune system must recognize self antigens to prevent attacks on healthy cells and tissues. To control antigen recognition, immune checkpoint proteins inactivate or activate immune cells in response to self or foreign antigens, respectively. Cancer cells take advantage of these checkpoints to evade immune cells and escape destruction; however, scientists have developed immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs to thwart this sneaky maneuver and help immune cells effectively recognize and destroy cancer cells.