Immunotherapy

Traditionally, desmoplastic melanoma was difficult to treat because the tumor tissue is so dense. However, researchers just discovered that immunotherapy agents have potential in this space.

Adam M. Brufsky, MD, PhD, and Lynn Acierno, BSN, RN, OCN, RN-BC, discuss how their team overcomes challenges in diagnosing and treating triple-negative breast cancer.

To date, trials testing the use of immunotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer yielded disappointing results. However, researchers are not giving up. Instead, they’re investigating to see if immunotherapy drugs – such as PD1 and PDL-1 inhibitors – can be combined with other agents to benefit patients.

Ferdinandos Skoulidis, M.D., Ph.D. highlights potential treatment options for KRAS-mutated lung cancer and explores developments in biomarker research in other areas in the field.

Checkpoint inhibitors continue to show promise in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but researchers are now exploring the efficacy of these agents when combined with radiation therapy (RT).
 

When combined with other regimens in the treatment of patients with bladder cancer, immunotherapy has been shown to be beneficial, according to Arjun Balar, M.D.

Justin Chura, MD, discusses his initial approach to treating ovarian cancer. Anya Khomenko, survivor of ovarian cancer, advises patients on how to become educated on new therapeutic options and prepare for follow-up appointments.

Treatment with Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) improved response rates in patients with melanoma, but not without some severe side effects.

Marina C. Garassino, M.D., talks about exciting advances in the field of lung cancer.

Clinical trials of combination immunotherapy treatments are showing impressive overall survival rates.