Immunotherapy drastically improves some breast cancer outcomes
“Immunotherapy basically trains your immune system to go after the cancer and fight it off,” said Daniel Carlson, DO, breast medical oncologist and clinical investigator at Allina Health Cancer Institute.
Dr. Carlson describes immunotherapy as “an enormous leap forward” in treating some of the most aggressive cancers — including triple-negative breast cancer.
Immunotherapy can be highly effective and less toxic, which Dr. Carlson says is crucial for patients who may not be able to fight through chemotherapy due to weakness or other health issues.
“Plus, immunotherapy cuts down on side effects tremendously,” Dr. Carlson said.
More on triple-negative breast cancer: It accounts for about 10-15% of all breast cancers and tends to grow and spread faster than others. Triple-negative disease can be more common in younger women, Black women or women who have a BRCA1 mutation.
Dr. Carlson says the Allina Health Cancer Institute has several clinical trials underway investigating immunotherapy as a treatment for triple-negative breast cancer. Additional trials using immunotherapy for other breast cancers are also underway.
Worth celebrating: The generosity of donors helps support research projects that can make a difference for patients fighting cancer.
Watch Dr. Carlson discuss immunotherapy.
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