Immunotherapy
CTLA-4 Inhibitor
Also known as: Anti-CTLA-4 therapy, CTLA-4 blockade
Definition
A checkpoint inhibitor that blocks CTLA-4 protein, enhancing early T-cell activation against cancer.
Detailed Explanation
CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen-4) inhibitors work earlier in the immune response than PD-1 inhibitors. Ipilimumab (Yervoy) is the main CTLA-4 inhibitor, often combined with PD-1 inhibitors for better efficacy. It has more immune-related side effects than PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors but can produce durable responses.