In recent years, cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in the field of oncology, revolutionizing the way we think about cancer treatment. By leveraging the body’s own immune system, this innovative therapeutic strategy has shown remarkable potential in the fight against cancer. Let’s delve into the realm of cancer immunotherapy, exploring how it works, its effectiveness, and some of the most significant advancements in this field over the past decade.
What is Immunotherapy?
Cancer immunotherapy encompasses a diverse range of treatments designed to stimulate and enhance the body’s immune response against cancer cells. Unlike traditional cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, which directly target and destroy cancer cells, immunotherapy focuses on activating and strengthening the immune system itself to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.
Immunotherapy Uses in Cancer Treatment
Checkpoint Inhibitors. One of the most successful forms of cancer immunotherapy is checkpoint inhibitors. Cancer cells can evade immune detection by expressing proteins on their surface that act as “checkpoints,” dampening immune responses. Checkpoint inhibitors block these proteins, unleashing the immune system to attack cancer cells more vigorously. The development and approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo), have transformed the treatment landscape for several types of cancer including triple-negative breast cancer, metastatic melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and advanced bladder cancer.
CAR-T Cell Therapy. Another breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy is chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T). This approach involves genetically modifying a patient’s T cells, a type of immune cell, to express receptors that can recognize specific cancer cells. These modified T cells are then reintroduced into the patient’s body, where they multiply and launch a targeted attack on cancer cells. The approval of CAR-T cell therapies, like Kymriah and Yescarta, for the treatment of certain blood cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, has been a groundbreaking advancement. These therapies have shown remarkable success in patients who have exhausted all other treatment options, offering new hope for those with limited therapeutic alternatives.
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL). TIL therapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient’s tumor, growing more of them in the laboratory, and then infusing them back into the patient. This approach has demonstrated impressive results in treating metastatic melanoma, with some patients experiencing complete and long-lasting remission. It also has applications in treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, genitourinary cancers, and more.
Personalized Vaccines. Advancements in genomics and immunology have paved the way for personalized cancer vaccines. These vaccines are tailored to target specific mutations present in a patient’s tumor, stimulating an immune response against those specific cancer cells. Early studies have shown promising results, raising hope for the future of cancer immunotherapy, where each patient’s treatment can be customized based on their individual tumor profile.
Combination Therapies. Researchers are exploring the synergistic effects of combining different immunotherapies or combining immunotherapy with other treatment modalities like chemotherapy or radiation therapy. By targeting multiple pathways and stimulating various aspects of the immune system, combination therapies have shown enhanced effectiveness and improved response rates in certain cancers, such as metastatic melanoma and lung cancer.
Biomarkers for Treatment Selection. A biomarker is a measurable characteristic or indicator that is used to evaluate biological processes, disease conditions, or response to therapy. Biomarkers can be molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, or metabolites, as well as specific cells or imaging features. These measurable indicators provide valuable information about the presence, severity, progression, or treatment response of a disease. Identifying reliable biomarkers that can predict the response to immunotherapy has been a major focus of research. These biomarkers help guide treatment decisions, ensuring that patients who are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy receive the appropriate treatment.
Adoptive Cell Transfer. Adoptive cell transfer (ACT), also known as cellular immunotherapy, is a promising approach in cancer immunotherapy that involves collecting and modifying immune cells from a patient, typically T cells, to enhance their ability to recognize and kill cancer cells. This approach has shown remarkable success in treating certain types of leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors, with ongoing research focused on optimizing ACT strategies. ACT can also involve genetically engineering immune cells via gene therapy to enhance their cancer-fighting capabilities. TIL and CART-T cell therapy are both forms of ACT. Others include engineered T cell receptor (TCR) therapy and Natural Killer (NK) cell therapy, where immune cells are equipped with new receptors that allow them to target specific cancer antigens.
The Future of Immunotherapy
Many clinical trials currently underway focus on immunotherapies and immunotherapy strategies like the ones previously mentioned. As we celebrate Cancer Immunotherapy Month, Arizona Oncology wishes to recognize the remarkable progress that has been made in this field of research and the immense potential that lies ahead. Cancer immunotherapy represents a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, offering renewed hope and transforming the lives of countless patients worldwide. With continued dedication and innovation, the future of cancer immunotherapy holds the promise of further breakthroughs and improved outcomes in the fight against cancer.
The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has designated the Friday before Memorial Day as “Don’t Fry Day”–a day to encourage awareness of sun safety in hopes of reducing the rates of skin cancer caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. With a little planning, you can enjoy the summer sun and protect your skin–not just on this day, but every day.
The Importance of Sun Safety
Sunshine is enjoyable–but too much exposure to the sun can be dangerous. Overexposure to UV rays can result in more than a painful sunburn. It can also lead to more serious health problems, including melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In fact, more skin cancers are diagnosed in the US each year than all other cancers combined.
Skin cancer can be the result of sun exposure over a long period of time and can affect anyone–regardless of skin color. Children are particularly at risk. This is why it is important to always practice sun safety.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Skin
Even though certain skin cancers can be highly curable if detected and treated early, it is still highly important to stay smart in the sun. Before you head outside, think “Slip! Slop! Slap!® and Wrap”–a catchy little phrase that can help you remember important steps that can protect your skin from UV rays.
SLIP on a shirt or under some shade to buffer the sun’s rays
SLOP on broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply every 2 hours
SLAP on a wide-brimmed hat to protect sensitive areas such as the face and neck
WRAP on sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV light to protect your eyes and the skin around them
Read all about sunscreen and skin cancer risk factors, signs, symptoms and screening in our handy download. Click here to download!
Other ways you can fight against overexposure to UV light can include:
Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps
Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon, when UV rays are less intense and temperatures may be more tolerable.
Check the UV Index to determine the strength of the sun’s UV rays in your area. The higher the number, the greater the risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. A UV Index reading higher than 6 means a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure, and it is best to reduce your time in the sun from 10 am until 4 pm.
Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand, which can reflect UV rays. Don’t skip sunscreen, even if you are in the shade around these reflective surfaces, you are still at risk for sun damage
Get vitamin D safely through a diet that includes vitamin supplements and foods fortified with vitamin D, such as eggs, mushrooms, low-fat dairy products, and fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel.
If you find any abnormal growths or spot on your skin, talk to your doctor or dermatologist.
Keep in mind that extreme UV rays reach Arizona all year, not just in summer. With that said, there is no reason to fear the sun. Have fun in it, practice sun safety, and encourage others to do it, too!
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in this United States, but it is also one of the most preventable. With the heat and activity of the summer months still upon us, it is important to be proactive in protecting your skin from the sun and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
UV rays are invisible to the naked eye and are more intense in the summer, at higher altitudes, and in areas closer to the equator. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes sunburn (erythema), skin cancer, premature aging (skin wrinkling), cataracts (gradual clouding of the lens of the eye), immune system suppression, DNA damage and dilated blood vessels.
The most important way for a person to lower his or her risk for skin cancer is to avoid exposure to UV radiation, either from the sun or other sources, such as tanning lamps.
7 Skin Cancer Prevention Tips
The American Cancer Society recommends the following seven practices for sun safety:
Protect skin with clothing, such as long sleeve shirts and hats with broad brim.
Avoid being outdoors when the ultraviolet light is strongest, particularly between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Seek shade
Use sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of 30 or more on areas of the skin exposed to the sun. Products should be used on hazy or overcast days as well. Check out our blog on how to read a sunscreen label.
Wear wrap-around sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV absorption to provide the best protection for the eyes and the skin around the eyes.
Avoid other sources of UV lights, such as tanning beds and sun lamps.
Protect children from the sun by using the same precautions as adults.
Skin cancer can appear in hidden places like eyelids!Early detection is key in successful skin cancer treatment. Take the time to regularly check your skin for abnormalities and spot changes. Some areas that are hard to remember to check are your scalp, ears, eyelids and back. Ask a family member or friend to help you check your skin in these hard-to-see areas. Here’s an easy ABCDE list our skin cancer specialists suggest you use when checking your skin:
Asymmetry. If you draw an imaginary line through the middle of a melanoma, the two halves would not match.
Border. The edges of a melanoma are usually uneven, fuzzy or jagged.
Color. Melanomas change colors and are often a combination of black, brown and tan.
Diameter. Melanomas may grow larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
Elevation. Once a mark on your skin becomes raised or thicker, it is a serious red flag indicating a melanoma may be spreading and should be evaluated by a doctor immediately.
If you find any areas of concern on your skin, immediately schedule an appointment with your primary doctor. They can help you determine what it is and if you need to be referred to a skin cancer specialist for further diagnosis. As a community-based cancer care provider with clinic locations throughout the state, our skin cancer doctors help cancer patients and their families access a full range of advanced skin cancer care services in an environment that allows patients to remain close to their homes. Through its affiliation with The US Oncology Network, one of the nation’s largest healthcare services networks dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment and research, our skin cancer specialists can quickly bring the latest advances in therapies, research and technology to where patients live. As a result, patients access the best possible treatment with the least amount of disruption to their daily lives.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men after skin cancer. One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Learning the facts about the risk factors, screenings, and symptoms can help you understand your risks and create a personal medical plan.
Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer typically has nothing to do with your lifestyle or personal habits. However, there are certain indicators that could signal you are at an increased risk of getting the disease. If you have a combination of risk factors, your doctor may suggest you have certain screenings earlier or more often than what is generally recommended.
Men with one or more of the following indicators should be sure they’re screened regularly for prostate cancer.
Age 50 or older with an average risk level
Have a family history of prostate cancer
Have a female relative (mother, sister, or aunt) who has or had BRCA positive breast cancer
African descent
Prostate Cancer Signs & Symptoms
Early-stage prostate cancer typically has no symptoms. That’s why routine screenings are vital for early detection. As the cancer grows, men may experience a variety of symptoms. Unfortunately, these symptoms are present in a variety of conditions that are common in men of the same age. The screening process for prostate cancer is simple and should always be considered when symptoms are present. These are some of the most reported symptoms in men with prostate cancer.
Difficulty urinating
Frequent urination
Blood in urine
Erectile dysfunction
Hip and back pain
Weakness or numbness in the legs
Prostate Cancer Screening
There are two tests available to screen for prostate cancer. These tests aren’t designed to provide an absolute diagnosis of prostate cancer. Instead, they detect certain factors that make a cancer diagnosis more likely. If your screening results aren’t normal, you’ll have to undergo more testing for a final diagnosis.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
PSA is a protein made by cells in the prostate gland. Only small amounts of this protein are found in the blood. The PSA blood test measures PSA in units called nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). As PSA measures rise, so do the risks of prostate cancer. There is no exact PSA number to detect prostate cancer, but doctors typically follow these guidelines.
Most men without prostate cancer have a PSA level below 4 ng/mL
Men with a PSA level between 4 and 10 ng/mL have a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer
For men with a PSA level higher than 10 ng/mL, the likelihood of having prostate cancer is over 50%
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
A DRE does not require a blood test, and may be performed after the PSA blood test is complete. Instead, a physician inserts a gloved, lubricated, finger into the rectum to feel for bumps or hard areas on the prostate that might indicate cancer. While the exam may be uncomfortable, it is usually painless and only takes a short time.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
If a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer after screening, treatment options need to be explored immediately. Early detection and treatment is the best defense against any kind of cancer. There are three types of specialists that may provide prostate cancer treatment.
Urologist
Medical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Often, these three physicians will work together to form a treatment plan based on your specific situation. At Arizona Oncology, our specialists work together to provide the most detailed, up-to-date studies and treatments for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer
There are a variety of treatment options for prostate cancer, and your oncology team may recommend a combination of methods depending on your personal needs. These are the most common treatments for prostate cancer.
Active Surveillance
Surgery
Radiation therapy, including seed implants
Hormone Therapy
Chemotherapy
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, your treatment team will provide a wealth of support and information while you make decisions regarding treatment. Oncologists at Arizona Oncology strive to provide a community for prostate cancer patients and their loved ones with support groups and options for treatment. While prostate cancer symptoms can signal many different health conditions, it’s vital to be aware of your risks and know the signs of prostate cancer. Early detection and treatment is the best defense against prostate cancer, and learning your options provides you with the knowledge you need to protect your health.
Cancer is a complex and challenging disease that requires continuous research to develop new treatments and improve patient outcomes. Clinical trials play a crucial role in this process as they provide a way to test the safety and effectiveness of new cancer therapies. Clinical trials also offer hope to patients and families who are dealing with this disease.
If you are considering taking part in a cancer clinical trial, here are some things you should know.
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that involve human participants to evaluate new treatments, drugs, medical procedures, or combinations of treatments for various diseases, including cancer. Clinical trials are conducted in different phases, each designed to answer specific questions about the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of the treatment under investigation.
Cancer clinical trials can have different objectives. Some are geared toward testing new drugs, medical procedures, or combinations of treatments. Others evaluate methods for preventing cancer, procedures to screen for cancer early, or ways to improve comfort and quality of life for cancer patients.
What are the phases of cancer clinical trials?
Most cancer drugs go through three to four trial phases.
● Phase I evaluates the safety of the new drug or procedure.
● Phase II tests the new drug or procedure on a specific cancer type.
● Phase III compares the new drug or procedure to current treatments.
● Phase IV involves additional testing after initial approval to study long-term effects or effectiveness in other cancer types.
Should you participate in a clinical trial?
Participating in a clinical trial is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. By participating in a clinical trial, you have the opportunity to access cutting-edge treatments that may not yet be available to the general public. This can be especially valuable for patients who have exhausted other treatment options and are looking for new options to improve their prognosis.
In addition to receiving access to new treatments, patients who participate in clinical trials also contribute to life-saving cancer research. By participating in a clinical trial, you help researchers learn more about the disease and how to better treat it in the future. This can lead to improved outcomes not only for you, but also for future generations of cancer patients. Many patients feel that participating in a clinical trial gives them a more active role in their healthcare.
Before you commit to a clinical trial, your oncologist will thoroughly discuss all aspects of the trial with you, including risks and benefits. He or she will make sure all your questions have been answered and that you are comfortable with your decision to take part. The decision whether or not to participate in a clinical trial is ultimately yours to make.
Clinical Trials at Arizona Oncology
At Arizona Oncology, we take pride in our ability to push medical innovation and patient care standards to new heights. We participate in clinical trials through the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, which has played a role in more than 70 FDA-approved cancer therapies, about one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. Our partnership with the US Oncology Network makes us one of the worldwide leaders in cancer clinical trials.
April is Oral, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month and Arizona Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network, would like to remind both men and women to speak with their healthcare providers about getting screened for the disease.
Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women and occur most often in the tongue, tonsils and oropharynx, gums, floor of the mouth, and other parts of the mouth. It is estimated that approximately 39,500 people will get oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in the United States this year, and an estimated 7,500 will lose their lives to the disease (American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures, 2015).
Many pre-cancers and cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx can be found early during routine screening exams by a dentist, doctor, dental hygienist or by self-exam. However, many of these cancers are found because of signs or symptoms. Even small signs should be examined. Any bumps inside the mouth, on the tongue, or lips that do not go away should be seen by a physician. Also, difficulty swallowing is a sign that should be checked out.
Possible signs and symptoms of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer can include:
A sore in the mouth that does not heal (most common symptom)
Pain in the mouth that does not go away (also very common)
A lump or thickening in the cheek
A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil or lining of the mouth
A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat that does not go away
Trouble chewing or swallowing
Trouble moving the jaw or tongue
Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
Loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth or jaw
Voice changes
A lump or mass in the neck
Weight loss
Constant bad breath
Some people who have oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer have few or no known risk factors, and others who have several risk factors never develop the disease. Factors increasing risk of the disease include:
Tobacco use – Most people with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers use tobacco, and the risk of developing these cancers is related to how much and how long they smoked or chewed.
Alcohol use – About 7 out of 10 patients with oral cancer are heavy drinkers.
Betel quid and gutka – In Southeast Asia, South Asia, and certain other areas of the world, many people chew betel quid, which is made up of areca nut and lime wrapped in a betel leaf. Many people in these areas also chew gutka, a mixture of betel quid and tobacco. People who chew betel quid or gutka have an increased risk of cancer of the mouth.
Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection – People with oral and oropharyngeal cancer linked to HPV infection tend to be younger and are less likely to be smokers and drinkers.
Gender – About twice as common in men as in women.
Age – Most patients with these cancers are older than 55 when the cancers are first found.
Ultraviolet (UV) light – Cancers of the lip are more common in people who have outdoor jobs where they are exposed to sunlight for long periods of time.
Poor nutrition – Several studies have found that a diet low in fruits and vegetables is linked with an increased risk of cancers of the oral cavity or oropharynx.
Weakened immune system – Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers are more common in people who have a weak immune system.
Graft-versus-host disease – Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a condition that sometimes occurs after a stem cell transplant. During this medical procedure, blood stem cells from a donor are used to replace bone marrow that has been destroyed by disease, chemotherapy or radiation. GVHD occurs when the donor stem cells recognize the patient’s cells as foreign and launch an attack against them. GVHD can affect many tissues of the body, including those in the mouth. This increases the risk of oral cancer, which can occur as early as 2 years after GVHD.
Genetic syndromes – People with certain syndromes caused by inherited defects (mutations) in certain genes have a very high risk of mouth and throat cancer. (Fanconi anemia, Dyskeratosis congenital)
Lichen planus – This disease occurs mainly in middle-aged people. Most often it affects the skin (usually as an itchy rash), but it sometimes affects the lining of the mouth and throat, appearing as small white lines or spots. A severe case may slightly increase the risk of oral cancer.
Arizona Oncology plays a major role in helping people throughout the state and their families win their battle against oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer by providing easy access to a full range of advanced cancer care services in a setting that allows patients to remain close to their homes and their support network of family and friends. (Originally posted 2015, updated 2024)
