Immunotherapy: Harnessing the body's immune system to fight cancer

Cutting-edge immunotherapy can add high-quality years to the lives of people with advanced cancer but there can be side effects and not all tumours respond to the treatment 

Brendan Muldoon, from Sallins., Co. Kildare, has stage IV colon cancer but is living an active life thanks to immunotherapy drugs. Photograph Moya Nolan

Brendan Muldoon from Leixlip in Co Kildare has stage IV colon cancer that has spread to his liver. Yet this 49-year-old former construction worker leads a full and active life thanks to immunotherapy, a form of cancer treatment that has the potential to revolutionise cancer care.

Muldoon has just returned from a 10k walk when he sits down to chat over the phone. Walking keeps him busy now that he’s no longer able to work.