immune checkpoint inhibitors as inital treatment

Is this part of gene therapy?

Immune check point inhibitors work quite well and they should be available at any good oncology clinic or cancer center. Where in the south are you located? Here is a link to some recent data on keytruda-a leading checkpoint inhibitor; http://news.cancerconnect.com/category/head-and-neck-cancers/
Best
C

Thanks very much!

I did not read or know this for fact but it was told to me by a Dr. Immunio Therapies are not the standard of care for first time head and neck cancer patients. You would have to fail the standard of care before you would be able to get the immuno drugs.

Hi @diesel, you are correct- for now, Keytruda is only approved for head and neck cancer patients that have previously received chemotherapy (containing a platinum), unless you are part of a clinical trial.

@gdp1943wls, are you going to a major cancer center? where are you located?

i am in mobile, al

Diesel,
With most kinds of cancer right now immunotherapy is not approved for front line treatment. As Meg says (megm), often after failing to get a good response to the platinum containing chemos. Those are harsh drugs and if that was recommended for me if I had a cancer that uses them as frontline treatment, I'd be doing all I could to find a clinical trial that uses immunotherapy. A big part of the picture is being tested for genetic mutations and factors that give info about the likelihood that you'll have a good response to immunotherapy drugs.
Carol

They may be available in clinical trials
C

You might check for clinical trials at UAB or Sarah Cannon and Vanderbilt up in Nashville
C

Thanks