What is the mechanism of action for specific immunotherapy?

Specific immunotherapy functions by targeting tumor markers or tumor-associated antigens. This approach is fundamentally distinct from general immunotherapy, as it aims to identify and utilize the unique proteins expressed on the surface of cancer cells. By recognizing these specific markers, the immune system can be trained to detect and destroy cells that present these antigens.

This targeted mechanism is significant because it allows for a more precise attack on cancer cells with less impact on normal, healthy tissues. For example, vaccines or monoclonal antibodies are types of specific immunotherapy designed to engage the immune system to specifically recognize these tumor-associated antigens, leading to an effective immune response against the cancer.

The other options, while related to immune response mechanisms, do not accurately describe specific immunotherapy's action. Stimulating a broad immune response lacks the precision needed to specifically target cancer cells, enhancing cytokine production describes a more general immune system boost rather than a targeted approach, and inducing apoptosis in healthy cells contradicts the purpose of immunotherapy, which is to protect healthy cells while targeting malignancies.