Cancer Immunotherapy Month is a series of educational and social events designed to raise awareness of this promising new cancer treatment. Check out some of the exciting activities we have planned for you!
June 1
When oral cancer threatened to leave Rikki Rockett speechless, the drummer for Poison found an immunotherapy clinical trial. His tumor responded immediately to pembrolizumab (Keytruda®). Just over two months into the trial, a scan revealed that his tumor had shrunk over 90%. Today Rikki is cancer-free, enjoys playing with his band, Poison, caring for his two children, and practicing Brazilian jiu-juitsu.
The opening day at ASCO19 discussed various immunotherapy combinations for head and neck cancer, a bispecific antibody for lung cancer, and potential cost-saving strategies for PD-1 immunotherapies.
June 2
The second day at ASCO19 highlighted biomarkers that may have value in the context of PD-1 checkpoint immunotherapy strategies, targeting a checkpoint on macrophages, and advances in cellular immunotherapies.
National Cancer Survivors Day® is a celebration for those who have survived, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of support for families, and an outreach to the community.
June 3
Immunotherapy strategies for patients with brain cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and cancer patients with HIV were highlighted during the third day of the 2019 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO19) in Chicago.
June 4
The fourth day at ASCO19 highlighted immunotherapy strategies, especially checkpoint inhibitors, for patients with kidney cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, and melanoma.
June 5
The final day of ASCO19 covered CAR T cells for pleural cancers and long-term updates on several immunotherapy strategies for melanoma patients.
June 7
ASCO19 highlighted a number of immunotherapy developments, including those relating to long-term survival, introducing immunotherapy earlier, biomarkers, and cellular immunotherapy.
June 8
The stakes couldn’t have been higher after Debbie was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). Faced with few options, she applied to enter a clinical trial testing a combination of two immunotherapies. She made it into the trial and had a complete response to treatment. More than four years since diagnosis, she is cancer-free and can focus on the important things in life, especially spoiling her grandchildren.
June 11
A discussion about new and upcoming developments in cancer immunotherapy with breaking news from the world's largest oncology conference for Twitter users on the #CIMchat hashtag, moderated by Sharon Begley, senior science writer at STAT, where she covers basic biomedical research.
June 14
Discover the heart of science around the world. Wear white, snap a selfie, and share your vision of a future immune to cancer on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook using the hashtag #Immune2Cancer.
June 15
Rick's family needed their father more than ever when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and he was able to be there thanks to an immunotherapy clinical trial, combining nivolumab (Opdivo®) and bevacizumab (Avastin®). After his third infusion, CT scans showed "dramatic results—the chest tumor had shrunk by 40% and the liver tumor by 25%." Rick is grateful to have his life back, to return to full-time work as an engineer, and to be "pop-pop" to his three grandchildren.
June 18
Join the Cancer Research Institute Associate Board at SWERVE Fitness Flatiron for an evening of indoor cycling and team competition. Whether you come alone or with friends, the team dynamic keeps you motivated, supported, and accountable. Whatever your score at the end of the night, cancer patients everywhere will win.
June 19
Starting at 12pm EDT, this live broadcast will feature an oncologist and a patient treated with immunotherapy who will share their experiences and answer questions submitted by audience members.
June 20
Tenants of the Alexandria Life Science Center in New York City are invited to attend an evening Wear White event, featuring a photo booth, drone photography, and a tribute wall. Attendees will receive a Future Immune to Cancer limited edition t-shirt.
June 21
This intimate, invitation-only event for media and health care investment analysts will be hosted by Cancer Research Institute at the New York Academy of Sciences. It will feature both a panel of leading academic scientific experts in immunotherapy, including 2018 Nobel Prize winner and Director of CRI’s Scientific Advisory Council, Dr. James P. Allison, and a fireside chat with chief science officers representing pharma and biotech leaders to share their points of view on what’s next in the IO field.
June 22
Genetic testing revealed that Adrienne had Lynch Syndrome, which put her at risk of the ampullary cancer she later developed. Genetic testing also revealed the tumor biomarkers that got her into the immunotherapy clinical trial that cured her cancer. Just over two months after pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) treatment began, the cancer was gone. Now, over two years since her last treatment, Adrienne remains cancer-free and has returned to her busy life working, spending time with her four daughters, practicing yoga, playing tennis, and traveling with friends and family.
June 29
Join patients, caregivers, and advocates at this free event for learning and networking. Medical experts will discuss new breakthroughs in immunotherapy that are changing standards of care for all cancers. Space is limited, so register today!
With a high risk of recurrence, Michelle wanted to do everything she could to stop her esophageal cancer from coming back. Following a successful treatment regimen, she met with Dr. Deirdre Cohen at NYU Langone Health, who recommended she enroll in a clinical trial of the immunotherapy nivolumab (Opdivo®). Over a year later, Michelle remains cancer-free and can plan new adventures with her husband and daughter.