Which treatment is considered an example of active immunotherapy?

Active immunotherapy involves stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Cancer vaccines are specifically designed to elicit an immune response by incorporating antigens that are associated with tumor cells. These vaccines can help the immune system learn to identify and combat cancerous cells, thereby providing a targeted approach to treatment.

Cancer vaccines represent this active engagement of the immune system because they encourage the body’s own immune mechanisms to become more effective in detecting and destroying cancer cells. This is distinct from other treatment strategies that may provide passive support or modify immune responses without direct engagement. For instance, cytokines can enhance immune responses but are not specifically targeting cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies are a form of passive immunotherapy, as they provide directly appropriate antibodies to fight disease. Radiotherapy, while effective in treating cancer, does not involve the immune system in the same active manner.

Overall, cancer vaccines exemplify the principles of active immunotherapy by harnessing and enhancing the body’s own immune defenses against cancer.