By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Can Thinking Younger Make You Live Longer?
    April 20, 2011
    Image
    Obesity’s Outlook Unchanged
    June 13, 2011
    When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
    July 16, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Immuno-oncology: The Challenging Road Ahead
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Technology > Medical Innovations > Immuno-oncology: The Challenging Road Ahead
Medical InnovationsPublic HealthSpecialties

Immuno-oncology: The Challenging Road Ahead

Andrew Schorr
Last updated: February 5, 2015 9:00 am
Andrew Schorr
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE
Dr. Oliver Press recently discussed immuno-oncology with Patient Power

Dr. Oliver Press recently discussed immuno-oncology with Patient Power

Dr. Oliver Press recently discussed immuno-oncology with Patient Power

Dr. Oliver Press recently discussed immuno-oncology with Patient Power

Experts say there is tremendous promise in stimulating a patient’s own immune system to fight their cancer. A few new drugs are already on the market in this area for conditions like advanced melanoma and some subtypes of lung cancer. We have a town meeting discussing this for lung cancer on March 7th in Tampa and a melanoma one on March 28th in Phoenix. In blood cancers, hematologists also see great promise for this approach as we heard from many at the recent American Society of Hematology meeting. And, earlier, Dr. Oliver Press spoke to me about it in lymphoma. But there’s a caution just now: even when experts say they are “excited,” it can be a rough go for patients.

As you may know, as doctors are testing out a new approach like immuno-oncology, they conduct clinical trials. Many trials are designed for the sickest people where their other options have run out. I have a dear friend in Seattle in exactly that situation. He has diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and there is a trial of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) for his condition. He hopes to start participating soon. But like other patients who benefited in chronic lymphocyttic leukemia (CLL), at this point, he is very, very sick and debilitated from months of chemo and a stem cell transplant that didn’t last. Our prayer is that he will enter the trial, and miraculously his T cells can be marshaled to finally fight his cancer.

This is nothing like taking a pill to fight a sinus infection. These days the patients in these trials are at very low points. Of course, the researchers are hoping to prove safety and effectiveness and see immuno-oncology approaches used much earlier  in the course of a disease for greater benefit. That often happens with new cancer approaches. But today—as immuno-oncology is being studied for a broader range of conditions—many of the patients are very sick, like my friend, and it is their last hope. In my friend’s case, he is now facing additional chemo, so he can qualify for the trial. The journey has been incredibly tough, and we need to be reminded of that.

I am a big proponent of clinical trials. I believe participating in one in 2000 for CLL saved my life. Fortunately, that one was for previously untreated patients, so I was feeling pretty strong at the outset. But many other trials are for people who have tried everything else. I pray this new approach to cancer treatment works for them, and they can make a solid turn toward strength and better health. I believe immuno-oncology will work out, as it has already for some people with melanoma and lung cancer. And when it does, we will have to thank some very sick patients who faced a bumpy road to make progress real for the rest of us.

I welcome your comments.

Wishing you and your family the best of health!

Andrew

TAGGED:cancer
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

The Genomic Revolution–Sequencing and Treating Disease (Video)

September 20, 2011
Instapeer screen shots
eHealthMobile Health

mHealth Comes to Patient Support Groups

June 3, 2014

Calling for Responsible Healthcare Journalism

October 27, 2014
Yaz lawsuit
Policy & LawPublic Health

What’s Really Going on With Yaz

October 9, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?