AHN provides our patients with comprehensive and tailored immunotherapy cancer treatments designed for their specific needs. AHN is one of the few cancer centers in the U.S. to offer novel CAR T-cell treatments where we develop our own CAR T-cells that aim to help our patients on an individual level. We also offer unique clinical trials to our patient population.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. Your body’s immune system recognizes and attacks foreign invaders — like illnesses and viruses — in the body, but cancer cells can sometimes evade the immune system’s ability to fight them off. Immunotherapy works by stimulating or suppressing the immune system to help it recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. It's used to treat a variety of cancers, including breast cancer, gastric and esophageal cancers, mesothelioma, melanoma, lung cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and others.
Immunotherapy is used to treat a growing number of cancers including:
AHN offers a comprehensive immunotherapy program with a team of experts to help you in your cancer treatment. Our programs and services take into account your whole health. They include:
Immunotherapy can be a powerful treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. Patient experiences can vary widely, depending on the specific type of immunotherapy used, the cancer being treated, and your overall health. Some individuals may experience mild side effects like flu-like symptoms, skin reactions, or fatigue, while others may have more significant immune-related adverse events affecting various organs. Your AHN care team will monitor you closely and help manage your side effects, so your physical and emotional health are supported during your treatment.
The body’s immune system naturally creates checkpoint proteins to distinguish between healthy cells and harmful invaders like germs or cancer. These checkpoints function as critical on/off switches that regulate immune responses, preventing the body from attacking its own healthy tissues. However, certain cancer cells exploit these checkpoints to evade detection and destruction by the immune system. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are lab-made proteins (monoclonal antibodies) that block these deceptive signals, effectively releasing the immune system's brakes and enabling it to identify and destroy cancer cells.
Checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. These drugs block certain "checkpoint" proteins on immune cells (like T-cells) that normally prevent the immune system from attacking healthy cells. By blocking these checkpoints, the immune system is unleashed to fight cancer. The treatment is given via IV in a hospital or clinical setting. Checkpoint inhibitors have shown effectiveness in treating a variety of cancers. Some of the most common include:
The recovery process after treatment can vary but generally involves regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and manage any potential side effects. You may experience fatigue or changes in appetite as your body adjusts. It's important to prioritize rest, maintain a healthy diet, and communicate openly with your AHN care team about any concerns or symptoms you're experiencing. Over time, you should gradually regain strength and energy, allowing you to return to your normal activities.
TIL therapy takes the patient’s immune cells that are already trying to fight the cancer, boosts their numbers and potency outside the body, and then reintroduces them to launch a more powerful and widespread attack. This therapy has shown promise in treating certain solid tumors, particularly melanoma. This treatment can often be done in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation to help suppress the cancer cells. This treatment is called lymphodepleting chemotherapy.
After the lymphodepleting chemotherapy is completed and the patient has recovered sufficiently — typically a day or two later — the expanded TILs are infused back into the patient, usually through an intravenous (IV) line, much like a blood transfusion. This part of the process itself is generally uneventful, with minimal immediate side effects directly from the infusion. Once the TIL is complete, high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) is administered for several days. IL-2 is a powerful natural cytokine (a protein found in the body) that helps the TIL to multiply in the body to fight off the cancer cells. They can cause some side effects, which will be monitored and supported by your AHN care team.
The immediate period after TIL therapy (weeks to a couple of months) is focused on recovering from the acute side effects of the lymphodepleting chemotherapy and high-dose IL-2. This includes managing infections due to low blood counts, recovering from fatigue, and addressing any organ-specific toxicities. Patients typically spend several weeks recovering at home, often with ongoing medical support. Oncologists will closely monitor the patient's cancer status through imaging (CT, MRI, PET scans) and blood tests at regular intervals (e.g., every 6 – 12 weeks) to assess the treatment's effectiveness.
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T-cell) therapy is a type of immunotherapy where a patient's own T-cells (special white blood cells) are modified in a lab to recognize and attack cancer cells. Specifically, T-cells are extracted from the patient's blood and genetically engineered to express a CAR on their surface. This CAR helps the T-cell bind to a specific antigen found on cancer cells. The modified CAR T-cells are then infused back into the patient to target and destroy the cancer. CAR T-cell therapy is commonly used to treat patients with certain blood cancers, including:
Following your initial evaluation with your AHN care team that ensures you are a good candidate for CAR T-cell therapy, you will have blood drawn to collect T-cells. This process is called apheresis and usually takes a few hours. A catheter will be placed in your arm or neck to collect the blood and return it. The collected T-cells are sent to a specialized laboratory where they are genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) on their surface. This CAR enables the T-cells to recognize and bind to a specific protein found on cancer cells. This process typically takes several weeks. Before the modified T-cells are infused back into your bloodstream, they undergo lymphodepletion. This involves chemotherapy to reduce the number of existing immune cells in the body, creating space for the CAR T-cells to expand and function effectively. This usually lasts for a few days. The CAR T-cells are infused back into your bloodstream, similar to a blood transfusion. This process usually takes less than an hour.
After the infusion, you will be closely monitored in the hospital for several weeks for potential side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity. During this time, the CAR T-cells multiply in the body and begin attacking the cancer cells. You will have regular follow-up appointments to monitor their response to the therapy and manage any long-term side effects. The entire process, from initial evaluation to recovery, can take several months. CAR T-cell therapy is typically a one-time treatment. The goal is for the modified T-cells to persist in the body and provide long-term protection against the cancer. However, in some cases, the cancer may return, and further treatment may be necessary.
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a type of immunotherapy that uses lab-created antibodies to target specific cells or proteins in the body. These antibodies are designed to recognize and bind to a specific target, such as a protein on the surface of cancer cells. By binding to these targets, mAbs can help the immune system destroy cancer cells, block their growth, or deliver drugs directly to them. mAbs are commonly used to treat various cancers, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases.
The patient experience with monoclonal antibody treatment is generally well-tolerated. The treatment is typically administered intravenously (through an IV) in a hospital or clinic setting. Before the infusion, your AHN provider will assess your vital signs and administer medications to prevent potential allergic reactions. During the infusion, you will be closely monitored for any signs of infusion-related reactions, such as fever, chills, rash, or difficulty breathing.
The duration of each infusion can vary depending on the specific antibody and the patient's response to treatment, but infusions typically take between 30 minutes to several hours. Treatment schedules also vary widely depending on the specific mAb and the condition being treated. Some mAbs are given weekly, while others are given every few weeks or months. The frequency and duration of treatment will be determined by your AHN care team based on the patient's individual needs.
After receiving a monoclonal antibody infusion, patients are usually monitored for a short period to ensure they don't have any immediate adverse reactions. The recovery process is generally minimal, and most patients can resume their normal activities soon after treatment.
Common side effects of monoclonal antibody treatment can include:
It's important to note that the specific side effects can vary depending on the monoclonal antibody being used. Patients should report any side effects they experience to their health care team, who can provide appropriate management and support.
AHN offers a comprehensive array of immunotherapy treatments all designed to boost the body’s immune response to cancer cells. In addition to the immunotherapy treatments listed above, AHN also offers:
Cytokines are proteins that play a crucial role in the body's immune system, acting as messengers between cells to regulate immune responses. In immunotherapy, cytokines are used to boost the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Cytokine treatment has been used in the past as an immunotherapy option but has since been replaced by other options.
Cancer vaccines are a type of immunotherapy designed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent infectious diseases, cancer vaccines are designed to treat existing cancer or prevent its recurrence. These vaccines work by exposing the immune system to cancer-specific antigens, which are molecules found on cancer cells. This exposure prompts the immune system to mount an immune response against the cancer cells, helping to destroy them or prevent their growth. Cancer vaccines are used to treat certain types of cancer, such as melanoma and prostate cancer, and are being investigated for other types of cancer in clinical trials.
The patient experience during cancer vaccine treatment is generally well-tolerated. Cancer vaccines are typically administered through an injection, either intramuscularly (into a muscle) or subcutaneously (under the skin). The injection site may experience some redness, swelling, or soreness, but these side effects are usually mild. The treatment schedule for cancer vaccines varies depending on the specific vaccine and the type of cancer being treated. Some vaccines are given as a series of injections over several weeks or months. Patients typically receive the injections in a clinic or doctor's office and can usually return home soon after each treatment.
The recovery process after cancer vaccine treatment is usually minimal. Most patients can resume their normal activities soon after each injection.Common side effects of cancer vaccines include:
It's important to note that the specific side effects can vary depending on the cancer vaccine being used. You should report any side effects that you experience to your care team, who can provide appropriate management and support.
Immunotherapy is an effective way to treat many cancers. Given its complexity, having questions is completely understandable. Your AHN care team is here to help and will be your resource throughout treatment. To help get you started and provide you with information you can bring with you to appointments, we’ve included answers to patients’ frequently asked questions.
Signs that immunotherapy is working can vary from person to person. Some common indicators include:
It's important to note that it can sometimes take several weeks or months to see noticeable signs that immunotherapy is working. Regular monitoring by your health care team is essential to assess your response to treatment.
Immunotherapy works by boosting your body's natural defenses to fight cancer. There are several types of immunotherapy, including:
By harnessing the power of the immune system, immunotherapy can help to control cancer growth, shrink tumors, and improve overall outcomes.
The success rate of immunotherapy varies depending on several factors, including:
While immunotherapy has shown remarkable success in some patients, it is not a "magic bullet" and does not work for everyone. Some patients may experience a complete remission, while others may have a partial response or stable disease. Your AHN care team can provide you with more specific information about the success rates of immunotherapy for your particular type of cancer.
Immunotherapy and chemotherapy are both cancer treatments, but they work in different ways and have different side effects. Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to fight off the cancer, whereas chemotherapy uses drugs to attack the cancer cells. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination, depending on the type and stage of cancer. One of the most significant differences between the two is that immunotherapy can offer a more targeted effect on cancer cells with less damage to healthy cells.
Immunotherapy can cause side effects, but they are often different from those caused by chemotherapy. Common side effects of immunotherapy include:
Not everyone experiences side effects from immunotherapy, and the severity of side effects can vary. Your health care team will monitor you closely for side effects and provide treatment to manage them.
While immunotherapy has shown remarkable success in some patients with stage 4 cancer, it is not a cure for everyone. In some cases, immunotherapy can lead to long-term remission or even complete eradication of cancer. At AHN, we have seen patients who, after five years, have shown complete remission of their cancer.
However, for other patients, immunotherapy may only slow the growth of cancer or improve their quality of life. The effectiveness of immunotherapy in stage 4 cancer depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, the specific immunotherapy drug or approach, and the individual patient's characteristics. It's important to have realistic expectations and to discuss your treatment goals with your AHN care team.
Call 412-578-HOPE 412-578-4673 or request an appointment with one of our Cancer Institute experts.
