Last summer we provided a series of posts on oncology basics. Oncology Basics: Preparing for ASCO covered some of the history of oncology. In Understanding Cells, we reviewed what is newly understood about cells–it’s way beyond what you learned in high school biology. DNA with lots of animated videos also explained some of the basics that have been uncovered and explains where mistakes happen that can cause cancer. In Genes and Cancer Treatment, we began to explain how genes direct the production of proteins. The pathways which cancer treatments target are explained. Finally, we touched on Immunotherapy, a treatment modality which harnesses the power of the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells.
Below is an infographic created by Mount Sinai Hospital that explains immunotherapy in further detail.
Source: Mount Sinai Hospital
I found it interesting that the autographic says that immunotherapy can make cells have the ability to target and eradicate only the cancer cells. Someone unfamilar with immune system might take that to mean there’s no toxicity or side effects. That is not true. Once the immune system is revved up it can cause problems in most any body system. My kidneys started to fail while on ipi/nivo and the intensivist asked me if I would be willing to have a Perm-cath inserted. I told her only if absolutely necessary and was spared that invasive procedure.I was in the ICU because I had massive esophageal bleeding from ulcerative esophagitis. I had that because I had bumped my shin and go a blood clot. Because of the kidney issue I was taken off PPIs since they can cause interstitial nephritis which is what I had. Within a few days of starting blood thinners I had a huge bleed and ended up in ICU. I also got to have an IVC filter placed to prevent an embolus. My thyroid also bit the dust because of the drugs. People need to know that this stuff can hurt you as well as help. I pretty much had side effects in every part of my body except for my liver. My oncologist says that immune checkpoints are no longer an option. Fortunately my CT from last week showed that the stuff finally helped. My ground-glass lung lesions have disappeared and some of the enlarged lymph nodes have shrunk. I am not sorry I did it – I got the 4 rounds, but in retrospect I should have forgone the ipi on the 4th round.
Good lord. That sounds like quite an ordeal. Thanks for sharing your story
My first cancer treatment left me without an immune system. How is this supposed to work on someone like me?
My husband has multiple myeloma and non hodgkins lymphoma and esrd and has been undergoing treatment for like 20 months now when to begin with they only gave him 16 months to live… The whole time i been telling him to get a second opinion because i did my research since iam the one taking care of him and everything they were telling him not to do or eat is what he should have been doing and eating and everything he should be doing and eating is what they were telling him not to do or eat… Well finally he went and got a second opinion just to find out that i was right! The doctor said They should have never radiated on him because thats not how you treat myeloma and they were giving him the wrong chemotherapy, everything they were doing is wrong!!!! The previous doctor that had done all this is not even board certified! The new doctor told him all they did was pretty much kill him! And that he needs to go home and write his will… HOW THE HELL IS THAT OK? THEY DIDNT HELP MY HUSBAND AT ALL! INSTEAD THEY PRETTY MUCH KILLED HIM!! now he has lesions on his bones throughout his whole body… Them sorry bastards
I hope we can end suffering and illness one day soon. God bless.