While waiting, Explore IMMUNOTHERAPY besides chemo + radio

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NATSGSG
NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
edited August 2015 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

Hello Everyone:

While following up on my weekly reading of medical articles wrt breast cancer, I came across many articles about this therapy for breast cancer called IMMUNOTHERAPY.  It is some sort of "custom tailored" cancer treatment, and has fewer side effects than chemotherapy, and appears to be getting good results. I've copied and paste links below for your reading pleasure....something you may wish to discuss with your doctor to see if it's available to you, and covered by your medical insurance.

If reading these are difficult for you, just focus on these sections: The Abstract, The Introduction and then scroll to the bottom to read The Conclusion or Summary. After reading these sections, you find it interesting, then go back and read the entire article. As I find more articles, research, clinical trials, breakthroughs in this field, I will come back and post more links for you to read...Nerdy

(1) This article discusses the progression of using immunotherapy in breast cancer treatment:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3587160/

(2) This article talks about combining immunotherapy with other therapies for better cancer treatment outcomes;

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3608094/

(3) This article talks about combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy aka chemoimmunotherapy:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2919833/

(4) Below link discusses using our own immune system to treat cancer:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3587160/

(5) This link talks about how immunotherapy can impact how cancer is being treated:

http://www.cancerresearch.org/cancer-immunotherapy/impacting-all-cancers/breast-cancer

H A P P Y   R E A D I N G  ThumbsUpHappy

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2015

    Why are you posting this in the "not diagnosed but worried" section

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited May 2015

    @MelissaDallas -  oh, I see what you mean.

    However, it is being posted under subsection "Waiting for Test Results" section.  I've just taken a look at it again. It is under the section as it should be. If one is not diagnosed with cancer, one would probably not read this post unless one is curious to know more about the subject. I wanted to post it there because generally, most people tend to be nervous during waiting to find out whether their tumor is benign or malignant. It's something to keep one's mind occupied....and this treatment is being brought back. To me, it's awesome.

    Thanks for writing and bringing it to my attention. Have a terrific day.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2015

    No, most on this thread are waiting to find out that they DO NOT HAVE CANCER AT ALL. A lot of them are terrified and have a poor understanding of the process & the fact that they more than likely DO NOT have cancer. Your post is inapplicable. Immunotherapy is when they make a "vaccine" from your own specific cancer cells. It is not like preventing the flu. They only do this when you have been diagnosed.



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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited May 2015

    I find this a completely inappropriate post on this section.

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited August 2015


    Ladies - this post in this section is for those who wants to keep themselves occupied, who are interested in acquiring more knowledge either for themselves or their love ones. Whether one is diagnosed or NOT diagnosed with cancer is beside the point. Knowledge is power. If you feel it irrelevant to you, feel free to skip and go along your way. No offense taken :-)) @!!@

    MelissaDall…that's why links are posted to offer clearer insights into what immunotherapy is as the experts explain them far far better than I can.

    Cowgirl13 - some of us are grateful for any detail information that comes along, and I am not one to wait till the last minute to find information - to each her own.. :))

    Again, if you don't find this interesting, by all means, SKIP IT. The title for this thread is clear... so, there really is no need to get worked up over something that is not to your liking or interests.... Having cancer is to nobody's liking either... This is a forum for sharing after all. When you have your own website, you can call the shots. Until then, please respect others their post. For when you post yours, wherever it may be, I'll respect it too...I don't have the time to go around policing or criticizing what others do or not do.....we all walk our journey however we see fit. Thank you.

    TO INTERESTED MEMBERS ONLY:

    I've posted VIDEO SYMPOSIUM LINKS on Immunotherapy organized by the NATIONAL CANCER INSTUTUTE below entitles:

    Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy: Delivering the Promise (Day 1 and 2)

    that offers in-depth info on this topic. If watching versus reading is better for you, please scroll down towards the bottom past all the in-between irrelevant comments. Have a great day / week / month / year,

    and all the best to you too.

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  • Stasiam28
    Stasiam28 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2015

    I am with Nat. If you don't want to read it them skip it. I have not been diagnosed: my biopsy is next week for Pagets. Yet, I have been on this site since Feb reading what I can, when I can because knowledge is power. I don't want my mind to be idle and while I am in the waiting stages I want to know different options, studies, etc so if by chance my nipple turns out to be cancer, I can ask intelligent questions. I think it's fine for this section, and other sections. Nat took the time to find the articles and the time to share them for people to use as they want. Let's all just look at the caring she has anDbe kind and gentle.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2015

    OK - Why do you assume that anyone has "idle minds"? Only you are capable offer finding sites that all should go to? That you as a 'newbie', have all the sites that pertain to all? WRONG! Do you even know that all BC is not the same?

    Most of us are quite capable of navigating the internet (not you alone)! We got to this site so obviously we can search - of just you.

    " waited in the past are grateful" - you are a 'newbie'. Those of us who "in the past" - o not need you telling us what you want to do for you - we have LIVED. I do not care what you choose to do for yourself and all WE all do need to educate ourself! DO NOT ASSUME THAT ONLY YOU GET INFORMATION AS TO WHAT ANY ONES TX PLAN SHOULD BE based o your 'thoughts'.




    '








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  • windingshores
    windingshores Member Posts: 704
    edited May 2015

    Stasiam, you, me and Nat are newbies. As a newbie, since February, I have generally held back and either asked questions or read others' posts, because there are women on here who have a lot of knowledge and experience. Many are kind enough to be on here still, years after diagnosis and initial treatment.

    If all members posted articles that we found of interest, this site would get pretty dense pretty quickly. That said, there have been some links carefully selected by members that have been enormously helpful.

    Getting to know the landscape of breast cancer, so to speak, was enormously helpful before diagnosis, but getting into too much detail before pathology results would have just worked me up and even wasted my time: for instance, reading about HER 2 when I turned out to be negative. I watched a lot of movies!

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2015


    @kicks - I have never met you before. I don't exactly understand your reason for being unhappy. I NEVER claim that I know everything. If you had carefully read what I had written in the first post, I say those who wants to keep themselves occupied, who are interested in acquiring more knowledge, NOT "everyone" as you claim because I dont make these sorts of claims. That's a big difference. What I wrote or post pertains to my type of diagnosis (as you've already known in my other threads and see at the bottom), and naturally won't apply to you or to members whose diagnosis are different from mine. It's only logical.

    OK, so you have more experienced with your cancer than I have because I am new. That's a fair statement because one would only be looking for info that pertains to one's type of cancer. So how about if you START your own thread and SHARE your own experiences and research?  I'm sure your story will be just as interesting, enlightening, informative and very different from mine by virtue of your own unique situation. Won't this help others similar to your case walk this same path better?

    Cancer forums serve to offer a wide variety of exchanges of information so that anyone coming here can choose to find the thread that are helpful and pertinent to them.  We come here to learn from each other, to support each other, and to give each other encouragement. When you read my subject title and it's of little use to you, couldn't you skip and go on to the next thread or topic of more use and interests to you?

    We are not here to put anyone down. Why would anyone want to do that? What purpose or satisfaction would it serve you or me or new members looking for information?

    There are too much negativity and bitterness in this world already. Could we agree not to add anymore to it? Could we just agree to let each other be? Newbies or not, we all have something to contribute. How much to contribute is also up to us. If you are the sort of person who likes to write less, then write less. I am the sort who likes to write more, so I write more. I write more because I like more information. I don't criticise your writing because that's your style and I respect it. Is it so difficult to give others their R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2015

    Good Lord. All this because I said that it would be more appropriately posted in another forum (such as

    "Just Diagosed" perhaps?

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2015


    "Live and let live...."

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2015

    Let's move on from this.

    Regrettably, often times misunderstandings occur in writing.

    If you would like this topic moved, please PM the Mods.

    Thanks!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2015

    IF you want to "quote" me - use words I have used! I have not edited out anything on this thread - you have. Nowhere did I say "everyone" as you have used as a quote me as saying. My posts are there unchanged. Yours aren't.

    You are not the only one who is capable of educating themself individually for what is being dealt with. Posting sites that do have (that show/have the research to back it up) is great! Not just personnel choices for TX. You can not tell MANY of us what to do - we've been tbere/done that. Nor can you tell anyone what should be done based on you and your DX/choices.

    Education - Education -EDUCATION! But not what 'someone else claims is what to do.

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2015

    Hello Interested Fellow Members:  Here's another update: 

    If you'd rather WATCH the NIH National Cancer Institute Conference VIDEO on Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy: Delivering The Promise ThumbsUpThumbsUpThumbsUp, instead of reading about this current hot topic, here's the link. Most fascinating symposium from immunologists, specialists, doctors & researchers all over the world presenting their different immunotherapy findings on different sorts of cancer.

    http://videocast.nih.gov/summary.asp?Live=14764&bhcp=1

    http://videocast.nih.gov/summary.asp?Live=14780&bhcp=1

    As you will see, Immunotherapy started way back in the early1880s...and the tireless efforts, passion and believes of those doctors, researchers, immunologists and who have not ceased finding ways to use it in cancer treatments are simply admirable and amazing....Though I am more looking forward to the day when immunotherapy becomes the GOLDEN STANDARD in all cancer treatment that will reduce/ stop the sufferings of all women with Breast Cancer, thereby offering us all and those who will come later a better quality of life...

    Hope you will enjoy all these videos.....@!!@ I've watched all 6+ hours of Day ,and more of Day 2 of this conference.... Watching all these doctors, scientists, immunologists, researchers etc presentation makes me feel pretty optimistic... and I can certainly hear Barbra Streisand singing, "Happy Days are here again...." to us all Cancer Patients ..

    P.S  A Suggestion - while watching these videos, please consider taking note of the names of those who presented...if there is a need,  you could consider following up with these professionals with respect to your own type of cancer...?

    Finally, salute to the passion and persistence of Dr. Bob Wiltrout of the National Cancer Institute.  Dr. Wiltrout is the author of more than 200 scientific publications in the areas of innate immunity, inflammation and cancer immunotherapy. 

    It appears there are clinical trials out there that have started to recruit breast cancer patients for this treatment....www.clinicaltrials.gov link or NCI can give you more info, or call the different cancer centers around the U.S. to find out if they have one?

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  • MusicLover
    MusicLover Member Posts: 4,225
    edited May 2015

    Thank you for all of the information on immunotherapy.

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2015

    @Musiclover - you're most welcome

    To all other interested members:

    Has it ever occur to most of us that how much the National Cancer Institute (NCI) can do in terms of being involved and sponsoring cancer research projects throughout the United States is related to how much FUNDING they and NIH get from the Office of the President & Congress? The final decision of which rest with the Appropriation Committee that controls and decides whether or not to authorize these funds?

    Well, this video link of the quarterly (?) NCI Board of Scientific Advisors' Meeting in March 11, 2015 can really gives us all an insight into their discussions of how funds they get or not get are being disbursed. It's a fantastic eye opener that is truly worthy of our time to watch:

    http://videocast.nih.gov/summary.asp?Live=15875&bhcp=1  

    http://videocast.nih.gov/summary.asp?Live=14250&bhcp=1

    I've watched these 2 videos and thought that perhaps if all of us cancer patients work together, perhaps we can write to our government representing our respective State in Congress to get for more funding for The National Institutes of Health (NIH) as it is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research - the National Cancer Institute being one of its arm. Just a thought.

    @ 

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2015

    Hello Interested Members, here's more update:

    Here's a link to a professional society called the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. They are a group of, and I quote "high-caliber scientific meetings, dedication to education and outreach activities, focus on initiatives of major importance in the field, and commitment to collaborations with like-minded domestic and international organizations, government and regulatory agencies, associations and patient advocacy groups, SITC brings together all aspects of the cancer immunology and immunotherapy community."

    http://www.sitcancer.org/about-sitc

    If you cannot find literature pertaining to your type of cancer, writing to them to enquire could be the fastest way to find/get information...maybe even asks to be put on their distribution list for any new developments? 

    There are now lots of research and trials being done on using immunotherapy in practically every type of cancer treatment....Something quite exciting is happening @The National Cancer Institute website www.cancer.gov.

    p.s.

    I have posted threads on various subject matters...if interested, please search under natsgsg. Thanks again for visiting

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited August 2015

    Dear Interested Fellow Members:

    This link from the National Institute of Health that contains all the past videos about the History of Immunotherapy, from how NCI started working on it and what they learned from cancer patients etc etc. etc. These are really exceptional videos to watch. and directly from the experts' mouth nonetheless. There are some videos that are restricted (you'll see a parenthesis after the topic title) Otherwise, they can be watched.

    http://vcastsearch.nih.gov/NIH/main.jsp

    At the top of each page, there's are <previous> and <next> page buttons to move from page to page. Now, each videos are rather long, several hours in duration. Not sure if they can be downloaded so you can watch-on-the-run so to speak, on in the train, subway, buses, airport lounge, in the toilet etc. to save time.

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited August 2015


    Hello Interested Fellow Members:

    Hope this message finds everyone well or getting better.... here's 2 video links about CANCER VACCINES that I hope you will enjoy.

    http://videocast.nih.gov/summary.asp?Live=5542&bhcp=1

    http://videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13632&bhcp=1

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited August 2015

    For Interested Fellow Members Only:

    Here are several ******U S E F U L L I N K S************

    (1) Here's a terrific link with more detail info of breast cancer, for your reading pleasure:

    http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/early-stage-breast-cancer.html#d

    (2) This is another good link to read if you are interested:

    http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/32/8/717.full

    (3) This link teaches you HOW TO READ YOUR PATHOLOGIST REPORT after you've had your BIOPSY

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/147/topic/831074?page=1#idx_

    (4) This link talks about the Various Types of Breast Reconstruction Techniques that are suitable for the location/size of your tumor, after lumpectomy. Very interesting read:

    http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijbc/2011/303879/

    (5) This link discusses the dosage amount of premedication such as before Herceptin + before paclitaxel during concurrent therapy that is safer for you. May help you in your future discussions with your MO and in your decision making process:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22089428

    (6) These two links give you detail info of each chemo drugs, their toxicity, side effects and how to recognize them:

    http://chemocare.com/

    http://dermnetnz.mobify.me/reactions/chemotherapy-toxicity.html

    (7) More info regarding on HER2+ cancer:

    http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Breast/Aboutbreastcancer/Typesandrelatedconditions/HER2%20positive.aspx

    (8) Discussion board topic about Neuropathy where I have posted a link to an article relating to it, and how to prevent or reduce it:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/763459?page=42#post_4380107

    (9) This is my thread with several morelinks about Cancer Immunotherapy:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/62/topic/831945?page=1#idx_12

    (10) Video link about new breakthrough in CANCER VACCINES and presentation:

    http://videocast.nih.gov/summary.asp?Live=5542&bhcp=1

    (11) This is my thread where I posted a great article I found called "Everything U want to know about lymph nodes"

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/830688?page=1#post_4371082

    If you are interested in reading about my journey, please click here (though I must pre-warn that it's really quite lengthy) LOL:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/147/topic/831038?page=1

    Thank you for visiting this thread. I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST JOURNEY YET... PLEASE MAKE IT SO ^!^

    ON DAYS YOU NEED LAUGHTER TO CHASE THE BLUES AWAY, HERE'S THE LINK FOR YOU.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17-mVH-Bs6U

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited August 2015

    Dear Interested Fellow Members:

    I found this Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (CITN) link that may be useful to some of you, your love ones or whomever you wish to share regarding this exciting development in custom cancer treatment that could be our future...

    According to CITN, it employs the collective expertise of top academic immunologists to design and conduct cancer therapy trials with the most promising immunotherapy agents prioritized for high potential in treating cancer, in collaboration with National Cancer Institute, foundation and industry partners.

    Their Vision is to facilitate broad availability of immunotherapy agents, with known and proven biologic function, for treating cancer patients.

    http://www.citninfo.org/about/index.html

    Sending more and more good wishes your way....

    image

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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited August 2015

    Inspirational Quotes From A Friend in Southern California:

    "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand
    new ending."

    - Carl Bard, Scottish Theologian


    "The most powerful thing we have in our lives is choice."

    - Edgar Papke, Vistage Speaker


    "Aspire to inspire before you expire."

    - Unknown


    "A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

    - Walter Winchell, Newspaper and Radio Commentator



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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited August 2015

    Update July 27, 2015

    CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR - The Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival

    The Reference Meeting for Scientists, Clinicians, Regulators, Drug Developers, and Patient Advocates

    September 16-19, 2015 – NEW DATE
    Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
    New York, New York

    Advance Registration Deadline: Monday, July 27, 2015

    With the explosion of interest in cancer immunotherapy and the proliferation of scientific meetings in the field, the time is right for a coordinated effort hosted by the field's leaders. The Cancer Research Institute (CRI), the Association for Cancer Immunotherapy (CIMT), the European Academy of Tumor Immunology (EATI), and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) are proud to join forces to sponsor the first International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference. This collaborative meeting will be held every other year, in lieu of each organization's individual meeting, and will alternate between the United States and Europe. We believe that by combining our efforts we can be more effective and efficient in disseminating the latest cutting-edge information.

    The inaugural meeting will take place at the Sheraton Times Square in New York City on September 16-19, 2015. Entitled "Translating Science into Survival," it will cover all areas of inquiry in cancer immunology and immunotherapy, including: immune regulation of T cell responsiveness, genomic methods for identifying tumor antigens, the tumor microenvironment, T cell therapies, checkpoint blockade, biomarkers, combinations, and the microbiome. More than 60 talks by acknowledged leaders in these areas will be given.

    This joint meeting will provide an unparalleled opportunity for teaching, learning, and networking among all stakeholders in the field: scientists, clinicians, regulators, drug developers, and patient advocates. We hope this will be the one cancer immunotherapy meeting that you will be sure to attend in 2015.

    Scientific Planning Committee
    James P. Allison, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
    Cedrik M. Britten, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, United Kingdom
    Glenn Dranoff, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
    Alexander M. M. Eggermont, Institut Gustave Roussy, Paris, France
    Carl G. Figdor, Radboud University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    Wolf-Hervé Fridman, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
    Philip D. Greenberg, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
    Axel Hoos, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
    Elizabeth M. Jaffee, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
    Peter W. M. Johnson, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
    Guido Kroemer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
    Nils Lonberg, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Milpitas, California
    Cornelis J. M. Melief, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
    Ellen Puré, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Robert D. Schreiber, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

    http://www.aacr.org/Meetings/Pages/MeetingDetail.aspx?EventItemID=54#.VbWOwdzALmI


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  • NATSGSG
    NATSGSG Member Posts: 231
    edited August 2015

    The National Cancer Institute (NCI) 's website www.cancer.gov has many written articles concerning Immunotherapy that are worth sifting through if you are the type of person who enjoys reading more on this specialize cancer topic:

    Here are just some examples

    Best Bets for Immunotherapy

    • Definition of Immunotherapy
    • Immunotherapy: Using the Immune System to Treat CancerImmunotherapies are treatments that restore or enhance the immune system's natural ability to fight cancer. In just the past few years, the rapidly advancing field of cancer immunology has recently produced several new methods of treating cancer that increase the strength of immune responses against tumors.
    • Biological Therapies for CancerA fact sheet that provides an overview of how the immune system functions and describes the actions of biological therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, therapeutic vaccines, the bacterium bacillus Calmet-Guérin, cancer-killing viruses, gene therapy, and adoptive T-cell transfer.

    Results 1–10 of 578 for: immunotherapy

    Here's the link to all of the above...

    http://www.cancer.gov/search/results

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