T lymphocytes can recognize and destroy cancer cells. However, an inhibitory mechanism interrupts this destruction.<unk>  turns off this inhibitory mechanism and allows the lymphocytes to continue to destroy cancer cells. Cancer cells produce antigens, which the immune system can use to identify them. These antigens are recognized by dendritic cells that present the antigens to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the lymph nodes. The CTLs recognize the cancer cells by those antigens and destroy them. However, along with the antigens, the dendritic cells present an inhibitory signal. That signal binds to a receptor, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), on the CTL and turns off the cytotoxic reaction. This allows the cancer cells to survive.<unk>  binds to CTLA-4, blocking the inhibitory signal, which allows the CTLs to destroy the cancer cells. In 2014 a study indicated that the antibody works by allowing the patients' T cells to target a greater variety of antigens rather than by increasing the number attacking a single antigen.
Ipilimumab
Pembrolizumab
Daratumumab
Axitinib
Teprotumumab
Siltuximab
Blinatumomab
Ofatumumab