Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - Community Healthcare - 49
A NEW WAY
TO ATTACK CANCER
Immunotherapy is available through the Community
Cancer Research Foundation BY ELISE SIMS
TOP PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
D
uring the past few years,
the rapidly evolving
field of immunology
has brought about new
ways to treat cancer. Immunotherapy
increases the strength of the body's
immune responses against tumors by
either stimulating the activities of specific components of the immune system or counteracting signals produced
by cancer cells that suppress immune
responses. It offers a way for patients to
explore highly personalized treatments
matched to their unique genetics.
Northwest Indiana residents have
access to national clinical trials and
studies that include the latest immunotherapy through the Community
Cancer Research Foundation. The
Foundation works in tandem with
oncologists at the hospitals of
Community Healthcare System:
Community Hospital in Munster,
St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago
and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart,
to offer patients a wider range of treatment options close to home.
"Immunotherapy is a novel new
approach that we are using to treat
cancer," Oncologist Mohamad Kassar,
MD, says. "We administer medications
that can stimulate the immune cells
to attack their own system. There are
checkpoints in the immune system
that can prevent cancer from happening, and these therapies target them."
Through the Community Cancer
Research Foundation, the hospitals
of Community Healthcare System
offer multiple clinical trials to patients
who meet the criteria. Eligible cancers include those of the lung, bladder,
breast and esophagus, as well as multiple myeloma.
"It's an exciting time to be an oncologist, as we have new therapies and offer
clinical trials that advance cancer care
and aim to help our patients live longer
by harnessing the power of the immune
system," Neel Shah, MD, says.
Last year, immunotherapy was
approved for use as a first-line therapy
for melanoma patients. More than
60 percent of people with stage 4 melanoma have a positive lasting response to
immunotherapy. Kassar says he expects
to begin using immunotherapy for other
types of cancer in the near future. ■
Oncologist Mohamad Kassar, MD, reviews
clinical trial eligibility requirements with
Community Cancer Research Foundation
Administrator Mary Shields, MSN.
WEBSITE
Hope Through
Research
For more information about
clinical trials and studies available through the Community
Cancer Research Foundation,
visit www.myccrf.com.
WINTE R 2016
49
http://www.myccrf.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - Community Healthcare
Contents
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