THE PROMISE OF IMMUNOTHERAPY
Dr. Stephenson believes we've only scratched the surface of the potential of immune system manipulation. Immunotherapy represents a paradigm shift in how we attack cancer. It targets the immune system, not the tumor. We're not yet curing every patient, but we aim to use immunotherapies for all cancers.
IMMUNOTHERAPY is a pivotal component of cancer treatment. It harnesses the body's immune system to prevent, control, and eradicate cancer. There are several variations, some using materials from living organisms and others using engineering to enhance immune cells' cancer-fighting capabilities. Today, we integrate immunotherapy treatments with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapies, underscoring its importance in the comprehensive approach to cancer treatment.
Immunotherapy targets cancer cells and can dynamically adapt to cancer mutations. It has a memory to target and destroy cancer cells if it returns. As research advances, we know immunotherapy's precision will improve, and the treatment will be more personalized than today. The technology only works for some patients. However, research is leading to new strategies to expand the number of patients who may benefit from treatment with immunotherapy. Every cancer type is unique, and immunotherapy impacts each cancer differently.
At St. Luke's, we are now using immunotherapy to treat bladder cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian and uterine cancer, colorectal cancer, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer, certain leukemias and lymphomas, multiple myeloma, liver cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer including melanoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, sarcoma, and stomach cancer. We've had a patient with each malignancy establish care with us.
CASE STUDIES OF ST. LUKE'S PATIENTS
CASE STUDY 1: The male patient was diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). ATC is a highly aggressive form of treatment-resistant thyroid cancer and carries an abysmal prognosis. ATC is a rare form of thyroid cancer in less than 2% of cases. The expected survival time after diagnosis is three to six months. The cancer is so rare, and there are no known effective treatments.
Dr. Stephenson ran a molecular profile and learned the patient had a high expression of a marker (molecular immuno-signature) known to be highly responsive to immunotherapy. After a conversation with the patient, the course of treatment was surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Today, more than three years later, the patient remains cancer-free.
CASE STUDY 2: A female patient was diagnosed with metastatic medullary carcinoma of the colon, which is extraordinarily rare (< 0.09% of all colon cancers). Chemotherapy is the standard course of treatment for this cancer. However, her molecular profile showed she possessed very high immuno-signatures. Through consultation with Dr. Stephenson, she and her team decided that immunotherapy gave the best chance of survival. Dr. Stephenson prescribed three infusions, twenty-one days apart. After the first infusion, the first node disappeared. And a scan done after the third treatment showed no sign of the cancer. THIS TECHNOLOGY IS TRANSFORMATIONAL!
Germline testing on the patient's sibling and her children revealed that her sister and one child had inherited the most common DNA mutation. They've since engaged in genetic counseling and entered St. Luke's Prevention Screening Program.
CASE STUDY 3: A female patient engaged in St. Luke's Lung Cancer Screening Clinic and learned she had Stage 3a non-small cell lung cancer. She was the first patient to be diagnosed with lung cancer via enrollment in the screening program. Her healthcare provider enrolled the patient, and our Lung Cancer Screening Navigation team tracked the results. She had a low-dose scan in late September, and by mid-November, she had completed a bronchoscopy, biopsy, a robotic lobectomy, and a mediastinal lymph node dissection. One month later, she started adjuvant chemotherapy, and at the end of February, she rang the bell as she completed her 4th cycle of chemotherapy/immunotherapy. She is anticipating starting maintenance single-agent immunotherapy soon.
These exciting developments in treatment provide optimism to patients at St. Luke's. The pioneering spirit of Dr. Stephenson and his team is ushering in personalized, less toxic, and more effective treatments. It's this hope that incites the relentless pursuit of a cure.
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