The Basics of Cancer Immunotherapy

Description

This book provides patients and their physicians (especially “non-oncologist” health care providers) with a clear and concise introduction to cancer immunotherapy, which, unlike traditional forms of cancer therapy, acts by boosting the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. The unique features of cancer immunotherapy make its management, monitoring and side-effects different from those of traditional cancer therapy. Especially novel are the side effects of cancer immunotherapy, necessitating greater awareness for both patients and physicians in order to minimize complications of therapy. The patient-friendly, concise, easy-to-understand, and up-to-date knowledge presented in this book will inform patients about the benefits and risks of cancer immunotherapy, and help them and their care providers to understand how immunotherapy would control their unique disease. Researchers and academic professionals in the field of cancer immunotherapy will also find clear and useful information to help them communicate with patients or address unresolved problems. Some key features of the book are: Expertise. All editors and authors are scientists and oncologists specializing in cancer immunotherapy, and are involved in scientific discovery from the early stage of immune-checkpoint inhibitors to today’s daily patient care. Their insights, expertise and experience guarantee the high quality and authority in the science, medicine and practice of cancer immunotherapy. Patient-friendly. This book is written for cancer patients in order to meet their needs when considering immunotherapy. As an educational tool, this book will help the reader balance the risks and benefits based on both science and clinical facts, and therefore to make the best choice in receiving or withdrawing from immunotherapy. Disease Specificity. Cancer is a complicated disease involving multiple stages and pathology. Its response to immunotherapy is individualized and varies depending on cancer types. The authors’ expertise in treating different types of cancers, including melanoma, lung, kidney, bladder, and lymphoma, provides disease-specific insights in applying immunotherapy to each disease. Front Matter ....Pages i-x The Basic Concepts in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (Haidong Dong)....Pages 1-19 Therapeutic Targets of FDA-Approved Immunotherapies in Oncology (Svetomir N. Markovic, Anagha Bangalore Kumar)....Pages 21-37 Melanoma Immunotherapy (Matthew S. Block)....Pages 39-57 Significance of Immune Checkpoints in Lung Cancer (Konstantinos Leventakos, Aaron S. Mansfield)....Pages 59-77 Genitourinary Malignancies (Roxana Dronca, Anagha Bangalore Kumar)....Pages 79-94 Next-Generation Immunotherapy in Lymphoma: Checkpoint Blockade, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells, and Beyond (J. C. Villasboas)....Pages 95-114 Combined Immunotherapy with Conventional Cancer Treatments (Yiyi Yan)....Pages 115-123 Immunotherapy for Other Malignancies (Yiyi Yan)....Pages 125-142 Management of Immune-Related Adverse Events from Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy (Lisa Kottschade)....Pages 143-152 Resources for Patients (Yiyi Yan)....Pages 153-154 Back Matter ....Pages 155-160