Understanding Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer

This animation explains how immunotherapy works for lung cancer. Immunotherapy uses medicine to stimulate the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. The immunotherapy drugs that are most often used to treat lung cancer are called "checkpoint inhibitors." On the surface of cancer cells there are proteins that “put the brakes” on the immune system. They serve as “checkpoints” that stop the immune system from launching an all-out assault on cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors work by “taking off the brakes” and giving the immune system free rein to release special cells called T cells that attack the cancer. Watch to learn about checkpoint proteins called PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, considerations for combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy, as well as learn about possible side effects of immunotherapy for lung cancer.

[foodanddrink]

I just started immunotherapy with one of the medications listed in this video. The chemo and radiation were helpful with my cancers in other parts of my body, but not the cancer that moved to my lungs. I think immunotherapy is a break-through form of cancer fighting; rather than burn, poison or cut away the cancer, it attempts to help our immune system detect and destroy the tumors, on a cellular level. I am 74, with a history of cancer, chemo and radiation, so I don't know how strong my immune system is at this point. It feels like the doctors have shifted from curing my cancer, to managing it for a while. And that's alright with me. Early detection is important. Do take good care of yourselves.