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Immunotherapy as a treatment for rare cancer

« Additional Treatment Types for Rare Cancer

overview

Overview

Immunotherapy activates the immune system to fight cancer. It has improved survival rates in certain advanced cancers, like melanoma, and has shown promise in treating rare cancers. Immunotherapy is usually given in cycles, with a period of treatment followed by a period of rest. Biomarker testing has helped patients with rare cancers identify biomarkers that may respond to immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy can be given in different ways.

  • Intravenously (directly into a vein through an IV)
  • Orally (pills/liquids)
  • Topically (cream you rub into skin)

There are several types of immunotherapy used to treat cancer:

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors
  • T-cell transfer therapy
  • Monoclonal antibodies
  • Treatment vaccines
  • Immune system modulators

The National Cancer Institute’s website has detailed descriptions of different immunotherapies.

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Considerations

The timing and duration of immunotherapy depend on your cancer type, its stage, and how your body responds to treatment. Immunotherapies are becoming more personalized. Scientists are learning about the different ways various immune-based strategies work and why some patients have stronger responses than others. The side effects of immunotherapy are different for each person. Talk to your doctor before starting immunotherapy. Make a plan to manage your side effects.

case study

Example: Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer. It can be life-threatening in patients with advanced disease. Immunotherapy can be a useful form of treatment for MCC, especially if it has spread to other parts of the body. Checkpoint inhibitors are immunotherapy drugs that target checkpoint proteins. They can help the immune system find and attack MCC cells. Until 2017, there were no approved treatments for this form of skin cancer. However, between 2017 and 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two immunotherapy drugs to treat MCC.

For more information about merkel cell carcinoma, see merkelcell.org.

Additional resources