Immune checkpoints are regulatory molecules in the immune system that help maintain balance and prevent overactivity. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the immune response is appropriate, preventing damage to healthy tissues. When immune cells, like T cells, encounter these checkpoints, their activity can be inhibited, which helps to control inflammation and autoimmunity. In cancer therapy, immune checkpoints have gained attention because some tumors exploit these mechanisms to evade detection by the immune system. Drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors can block these checkpoints, enhancing the immune response against cancer cells. This approach has shown promise in treating various types of cancer.