Immunotherapy Resource

Sherriw

My trial nurse pointed me in the direction of this site. It was new to me, so I thought it might be new to some of you all too.

http://www.theanswertocancer.org/

It has good basic descriptions for the different types of immunotherapy approaches, a glossary, and support for locating an immunotherapy trial. I especially liked this page listingthe immunotherapy in research for breast cancer.

Breast Cancer

scuttlers

thank you so much for posting the links!!! I firmly believe that immunotherapy (rebooting our body to recognize and destroy the cancer cells themselves) is the key to successful treatments. I did a vaccine trial at Fred Hutch that I totally believe was completely successful. Good read, thank you again!

Cure-ious

Hi Scutters! That is exciting! What was the trial?! I read today that Hutch has doubled-down on their CAR-T therapies also, they are very innovative there...

ABeautifulSunset

I did one of the Hutch vaccine trials years ago. I doubt it had anything to do with the 3 years of NED that I enjoyed... prior to progression. The other two ladies I know who did the same trial, one has progressed, one has stable bone mets. . I dont think this is the same trial, because my phase was 4 years ago.They have been working on a vaccine for at least 10 years, I believe (that I know of). My general belief now is that the future of cancer "cures" are in immunotherapy plus other treatments, not vaccines. But more power to those who keep trying. We need all the help we can get.

scuttlers

The trial I participated in was to see if alternative therapy (a tea) would boost the vaccine. The vaccine was for Her2+, and had already been trialed with great results. They were seeing if they could improve the responses.

The reason I feel it worked is because before the vaccine, I lived allergy free. After the vaccine I am allergic to bees (bad news for a beekeeper, but I go on and keep an epi-pen close), crab (one of my favorite foods), and many pollens. I am strongly willing that my body is allergic to those darn cancer cells and gets them with a vengeance! Just got home from a month of camping in the beautiful mountains of Idaho, pretty great for someone that was given less than 6 weeks to live in 2009!

An interesting note on Car-T - my brother (stage IV lymphoma) was the first patient (they called him patient zero) to have the Car-T done. In the magazine article those are his X-rays. He had tumor lumps that "melted like butter". It worked for a long time. Since then, he has had good response to stem cell transplants. He goes on. He even went elk hunting last week and brought me back about 70 pounds of steaks and burger.