About immunotherapy
The good news is that Jillian is supposed to be released tomorrow from her first round of Immunotherapy.
I know many of you are curious as to why Jillian is continuing treatment when she is cancer free. Amber posted the following explanation about this:
“So many ask me why Jillian must go through this final phase of treatment if she is cancer free… The answer is simply this: This disease is very aggressive and if any cancer cells are left – even the smallest amount – she could relapse. There is still no guarantee that she won’t relapse even with this treatment but we must do everything we can to give her the best chance. Then there is the questions about what exactly are they giving her. Here is the description of this
Monoclonal Antibody Ch14.18, Sargramostim, Aldesleukin, and Isotretinoin After Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Neuroblastoma
This phase III trial is studying the side effects of giving monoclonal antibody Ch14.18 together with sargramostim, aldesleukin, and isotretinoin after autologous stem cell transplant in treating patients with neuroblastoma. Monoclonal antibodies, such as Ch14.18, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Colony-stimulating factors, such as sargramostim, may increase the number of immune cells found in bone marrow or peripheral blood. Aldesleukin may stimulate the white blood cells to kill tumor cells. Isotretinoin may help neuroblastoma cells become more like normal cells, and to grow and spread more slowly. Giving monoclonal antibody Ch14.18 together with sargramostim, aldesleukin, and isotretinoin after autologous stem cell transplant may be an effective treatment for neuroblastoma
Right now Jilli is getting the daily shots in her leg of GM-CSF (sargramostim) which helps boost her neutrophils to fight off infection. The 4 daily infusions of monoclonal antibody ch14.18 is the painful one making her uncomfortable.”
Thanks for you continued support and love!
– COPA Aunt Paula
‹ Update on immunotherapy Immunotherapy 101 ›