Is immunotherapy the same as chemotherapy?

Immunotherapy in Istanbul

In short

Checkpoint-inhibitor immunotherapy works by releasing a brake the tumor puts on the immune system, rather than attacking cancer cells directly the way chemotherapy does — helping the immune system recognize and act against the tumor itself. It's given as an outpatient infusion, typically every 2–6 weeks depending on the specific drug and protocol. Drug costs are itemized per protocol in your personal quote — there is no single published course price, unlike surgery or radiotherapy. A free 72-hour tumor-board second opinion reviews whether immunotherapy fits your case based on your diagnosis and biomarker results.

Releases a brake tumors put on the immune system, rather than attacking cells directly. Outpatient infusion, every 2–6 weeks depending on protocol. Drugs itemized per protocol — no fixed course price. Free 72h second opinion reviews your case.

How it's priced

UPDATED Q3 2026PLACEHOLDER

Component

Istanbul

Germany typ.

Typical use

Checkpoint-inhibitor course

Itemized per protocol

protocol- and drug-dependent

Unlike the surgical and radiotherapy rows on this site's price index, immunotherapy drug costs vary too widely by drug, dose, and protocol length to publish a single range honestly. Every personal quote itemizes the specific drug and schedule your case requires.

Get an exact quote for your case

How it's priced

Q3 2026

Immunotherapy course

Itemized per protocol

No fixed course price published — itemized per protocol

How it's given

[ [ outpatient infusion suite ] ]

[ [ infusion suite ] ]

Outpatient infusion

Setting

outpatient infusion suite

Session length

typically 30–60 minutes per infusion

Interval

every 2–6 weeks, drug-dependent

Biomarker testing

PD-L1 and/or MSI-H/dMMR, before starting

Anesthesia

not required

Session

30–60 min

Which biomarker tests matter, and what they show, depends entirely on your specific cancer type — see PD-L1 testing and MSI-H/dMMR in the glossary.

When it's typically used

Typically suitable

Tumors with biomarkers (e.g. high PD-L1 expression, or MSI-H/dMMR status) associated with better response

Certain advanced or metastatic cancers where it's part of standard care

Sometimes combined with chemotherapy for specific cancer types

Usually better served otherwise

Tumors without a supportive biomarker result, where response is generally less likely

Certain autoimmune conditions that raise the risk of immune-related side effects

Eligibility depends on biomarker testing and your overall health, which the tumor board reviews before recommending immunotherapy either way.

Typically suitable

Biomarker-positive tumors (PD-L1, MSI-H/dMMR) · certain advanced/metastatic cancers · sometimes combined with chemotherapy

Usually better served otherwise

Biomarker-negative tumors · certain autoimmune conditions raising side-effect risk

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Fair questions about immunotherapy

No — they work differently. Chemotherapy attacks rapidly dividing cells directly; immunotherapy works by helping your own immune system recognize and act against the tumor. The two are sometimes combined, depending on the cancer type.

Every cancer case is individual. Assessments do not replace in-person examination.Every cancer case is individual. Assessments are based on the reports you provide and do not replace in-person examination. Survival statistics are population-level data, not personal predictions.

Chemotherapy Targeted & hormone therapy PD-L1 testing Lung cancer systemic therapy

Terms in this treatment

PD-L1 testing →MSI-high / dMMR →Checkpoint inhibitor →

Verify at

Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer — National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Cancer Immunotherapy — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

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