Immunotherapy Treatment for Gynecologic Cancer
The immune system is your body’s defense against disease. A strong, healthy immune system will seek out and destroy threats, like abnormal cells. But, sometimes, your immune system isn’t strong enough to do this work on its own.
Immunotherapy, sometimes called biotherapy, helps to strengthen your immune system so that it can better fight off cancer cells.
What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy helps to strengthen the immune system so that it can identify and fight off cancer cells. Immunotherapy uses modified or concentrated amounts of the body’s own biologic agents, like proteins and white blood cells. This boosts and stimulates the immune system, pushing it to fight as hard as it can.
Immunotherapy is often used in combination with other treatment methods, like surgery or chemotherapy, in cases of advanced or recurring cancer. Sometimes, doctors will use more than one type of immunotherapy to help boost the immune system.
What Gynecologic Cancers Do We Treat?
At UPMC, immunology is used to treat gynecologic cancers of the:
- Cervix — Cervical cancer is the only gynecologic cancer that has screening tests. When detected early, treatment is often successful.
- Endometrium — The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer.
- Ovaries, peritoneum, and fallopian tubes — These types of gynecologic cancers have similar cell types that often respond to the same treatment. Ovarian cancer is the most serious of the gynecologic cancers and affects nearly 25,000 women in the United States each year.
- Uterus — Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer, with more than 40,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
- Vagina — Vaginal cancer develops in the tissues and glands that line the vagina.
- Vulva — Vulvar cancer forms in the outer part of the female genitals. Like cervical cancer, human papillomavirus, or HPV, can increase the chances of developing vulvar cancer.
Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy?
There are many types of immunotherapy, and certain types work better for some cancers than for others. Often, immunotherapy is used in combination with other treatment methods, like surgery, in cases of advanced or recurring cancer. Doctors use immunotherapy to:
- Enhance other treatments, like chemotherapy.
- Kill microscopic, or invisible, cancer cells that remain after surgery.
- Fight recurring cancer or cancer that hasn’t responded to other treatments.
- Shrink tumors before surgery or radiation therapy.
What Immunotherapy Services for Gynecological Cancer Do We Offer?
Types of immunotherapy
There are many types of immunotherapies that doctors can use to treat your unique type and stage of cancer. They include:
- Cytokines — Proteins that send signals to immune cells to attack cancer cells.
- Monoclonal antibodies — Lab-made proteins designed to target cancer cells.
- Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes — White blood cells taken from your tumor, multiplied in a lab, and then returned to the body to track down and destroy cancer cells.
What Can I Expect?
Most types of immunotherapy are given as an infusion through an IV or as a shot injected into the area of your tumor. These treatments may need to be repeated weekly or monthly.
Sometimes, doctors will schedule breaks between infusions or shots. That way, your body has time to react and recover from treatment.
Why Choose UPMC?
UPMC Magee-Womens and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center partner to provide expert gynecological cancer care. At UPMC, you can expect:
- Compassionate care — At UPMC, you are not alone in your fight against gynecologic cancer. We will not only provide you with the latest advancements in cancer care, but we will also guide and support you through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
- National recognition — We're nationally recognized for our expertise. UPMC Hillman is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in western Pennsylvania and one of only 57 nationwide. UPMC Magee is a national leader in women's health care and research. Together, we provide expert gynecological cancer care.
- Locations close to home — UPMC offers gynecologic oncology services in communities across the region. You don’t have to travel far from home to receive the world-class care you need.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-08-06.
