What is immunotherapy for cancer?

Immunotherapy is one of the most promising and successful new treatments for cancer. Immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to find, target and fight many forms of cancer, even at advanced stages. Cancer starts when normal, healthy cells become changed or altered and begin to grow out of control. Immunotherapies boost or change the immune system to work harder and smarter to find, target and attack cancer cells. In the last few decades Immunotherapy has been approved for the treatment of many cancers, including bladder, cervical, breast, colorectal, lymphoma and melanoma, among others. Patients may receive treatments in a doctor’s office, an oncology clinic or, in some cases, in a hospital setting. Immunotherapy may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery. While side effects can occur, a key difference is that they are often less severe than those encountered with conventional therapies.

What does immunotherapy do?

The immune system is a complex collection of organs, including the spleen, thymus and bone marrow, white blood cells, tissues and proteins. These special substances travel through the body, protecting it from viruses or germs that cause infection. When it encounters a new substance that it doesn’t recognize, it signals an alarm and works to destroy anything containing the foreign substance. Immunotherapies work to stimulate or boost the immune system’s natural defenses to work harder to fight cancer. They can be injected directly into a vein, swallowed in pill or capsule form or applied topically through a cream that is rubbed onto the skin.

How long does immunotherapy stay in your system?

The duration immunotherapy stays in the system varies depending on the specific type and individual response. Immunotherapy may continue to work for months or years after a patient has finished treatment. For cancer immunotherapy, effects can persist for an extended period, influenced by factors such as the type of drugs and cancer. Individual responses vary, and discussions about duration should involve healthcare professionals overseeing the specific case. They can provide personalized information based on the immunotherapy approach and medical history.

Who qualifies for immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy has been approved for the treatment of many cancers, including bladder, cervical, breast, colorectal, lymphoma and melanoma, among others. Patients may receive immunotherapy in a doctor’s office, an oncology clinic or, in some cases, in a hospital setting. Your oncology team can determine whether immunotherapy is a recommended option.

What are the signs immunotherapy is working?

Each patient is unique. Some patients have an immediate positive response while other patients respond more slowly or not at all. Immunotherapies can take longer to work than traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation. Throughout treatment, patients will have regular check-ups, blood tests or imaging scans to assess whether a tumor is responding. Researchers continue to study new and improved ways of measuring the body’s response to immunotherapy.

What are the types of immunotherapy?

Some of the most common types of immunotherapy used to treat cancer include: Bispecific antibody drug therapies bind to two specific cells at the same time. This activates the immune system to recognize and destroy certain types of cancer cells. CarT-cell therapy is a type of cell-based treatment that involves altering immune cells called T cells (a type of white blood cell) in a laboratory so that they are better able to find and destroy cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that block immune checkpoints, which can sometimes dampen immune system response, and allow cells to respond more strongly to cancer. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that are created in a lab to act like antibodies that naturally circulate in the body. They are designed to attach themselves to single cancer cells so that they can be better seen and destroyed by the immune system. Vaccines boost the body’s ability to recognize and destroy or slow the growth of cancer.

What are the side effects of immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy for cancer can have side effects, and the nature and severity of these side effects can vary depending on the specific type of immunotherapy and individual patient factors. It’s important to note that not everyone will experience the same side effects, and some people may not experience any noticeable side effects. Common side effects of immunotherapy may include: Fatigue: Feeling tired or lethargic is a common side effect of many cancer treatments, including immunotherapy. Skin Reactions: Skin-related side effects such as rash, itching, or redness are common with certain immunotherapy drugs. Flu-Like Symptoms: Some people may experience symptoms similar to the flu, including fever, chills, muscle aches, and weakness. Digestive System Issues: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite are possible side effects of immunotherapy. Respiratory Issues: Coughing, shortness of breath, or other respiratory symptoms may occur with certain types of immunotherapy. Autoimmune Reactions: In some cases, immunotherapy may cause the immune system to attack healthy cells and tissues, leading to autoimmune reactions. This can result in conditions like colitis, hepatitis, or thyroid disorders. Allergic Reactions: Rarely, severe allergic reactions can occur, which may manifest as difficulty breathing, swelling, or a drop in blood pressure.

Bispecific Therapy

Bispecific T-cell Engager Therapy

Bispecific antibody drugs are among the growing number of immunotherapies offering promising new options for treating certain types of cancer that are often resistant to treatment. These drugs boost the action of the body’s immune system to find, target, and kill cancer cells effectively.

Bispecific antibodies are engineered to bind to both cancer cells and healthy immune cells (T-cells) at the same time. This connection activates the T-cells to recognize and destroy the cancerous cells.

Bispecific therapy is initially administered on a step-up dosing schedule to help minimize adverse effects. There is a risk of unique side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicities, which can be life-threatening. Initial treatments are typically administered in an inpatient hospital setting to monitor for any serious adverse reactions. Patients can then proceed with ongoing maintenance on an outpatient basis.

For adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma:

Elranatamab (ELREXFIO™)
Linvoseltamab (LYNOZYFIC™)
Talquetamab (TALVEY™)
Teclistamab (TECVAYLI®)

For adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma:

Glofitamab (COLUMVI™)
Epcoritamab (EPKINLY™)

For adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma:

Mosunetuzumab (LUNSUMIO™)
Epcoritamab (EPKINLY™)

For adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy:

Tarlatamab (IMDELLTRA™)

Advanced Bispecific T-cell Therapy Program Available in an Outpatient Setting

FCS provides bispecific step-up dosing in select locations in collaboration with local hospitals. This ensures that hospital observation is available when needed.

Stabilized patients also have the opportunity to proceed with ongoing maintenance on an outpatient basis in a convenient and comfortable setting. Skilled FCS clinical professionals provide personalized one-to-one monitoring, oversight, and treatment guidance to reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the disease to remission.

FCS offers step-up dosing and maintenance therapy with FDA-approved bispecific drugs, all proven effective in treating specific cancers.

Bispecific Treatments by Location

Boca Raton

Brandon Cancer Center

Brooksville

Cape Coral Cancer Center

Clermont

Daytona Cancer Center

Fleming Island

Fort Myers Cancer Center

Gainesville Cancer Center

Ocala Cancer Center

Sarasota Downtown

Sebring

St. Petersburg – Bayfront

Tallahassee Cancer Center

Trinity Cancer Center

Vero Beach East

Villages Cancer Center

West Palm Beach

Wellington

Winter Park Village

KEY: Location Page • = Send an Email • = Induction Services

Bispecific Therapy Educational Videos

Learn how bispecific antibody therapy is changing the way some cancers are treated. Ameet Patel, MD, Director of Cell Therapy, and Sarah Rockwell, PharmD, BCOP, Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, explain how this innovative immunotherapy works by bringing T-cells and cancer cells together to help the immune system find and attack cancer. Watch either video below — one covers what patients can expect during step-up dosing treatment, including possible side effects to watch for, and the other explores how FCS’s bispecific maintenance program continues to bring cutting-edge cancer care to patients close to home.

Anthony’s Story

Life-Changing Treatment Close to Home

At Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), patients like Anthony are seeing life-changing results through access to cutting-edge treatments close to home. After being diagnosed with a rare, aggressive lung cancer, Anthony began therapy with Talatamab at our Brooksville location, eliminating the need to travel out of state. With expert care from the FCS team, his health and quality of life quickly improved. This is the impact of personalized, innovative cancer care at FCS.

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