June is Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month

Posted in :: 2019 Volume 6 :: Thursday, June 13th, 2019

This month we recognize and celebrate June as the 7th Annual Cancer Immunotherapy Month™ hosted by the Cancer Research Institute. Patients, caregivers, advocacy organizations, health care professionals and industry partners, unite to raise awareness of the lifesaving potential of cancer immunotherapies. Every day, so many work to transform T-cell therapy including researchers who have helped pioneer this research and continue to make seminal advances in this growing field.  This month is not only termed to promote general awareness, but also to provide educational growth and professional development opportunities for clinicians, researchers, and patients.

Below are some of the benefits of cancer immunotherapy: (Benefits of Immunotherapy (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/why-immunotherapy).

Cancer immunotherapy can work on many different types of cancer

  • Immunotherapy enables the immune system to recognize and target cancer cells, making it a universal answer to cancer.
  • The list of cancers that are currently treated using immunotherapy is extensive. See the full list of Immunotherapies by cancer type.
  • Immunotherapy has been an effective treatment for patients with certain types of cancer that have been resistant to chemotherapy and radiation treatment

Cancer immunotherapy offers the possibility for long-term cancer remission

  • Immunotherapy can “train” the immune system to remember cancer cells. This “immunomemory” may result in longer-lasting remissions.
  • Clinical studies on long-term overall survival have shown that the beneficial responses to cancer immunotherapy treatment are durable—that is, they can be maintained even after treatment is completed.

Cancer immunotherapy may not cause the same side effects as chemotherapy and radiation

  • Cancer immunotherapy is focused on the immune system and is often more targeted than conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
  • Both chemotherapy and radiation damage healthy cells, leading to common side effects such as hair loss and nausea/vomiting. These side effects may be less likely with immunotherapy.
  • Side effects of cancer immunotherapy will vary depending on which type of immunotherapy is used. They are usually related to stimulation of the immune system and can range from minor symptoms of inflammation (e.g., fever) to major conditions similar to autoimmune disorders.

To learn more about Immunotherapy visit: http://www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/what-is-immunotherapy

View Cancer Immunotherapy Month Events in June 2019