Immunotherapy at Cleveland Clinic

Immunotherapy provides specialized cancer treatment that works by helping the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells. Depending on the cancer type and individual characteristics, immunotherapy may be used alone or combined with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy or surgery. Treatment selection may involve cancer staging, pathology and biomarker testing to determine whether immunotherapy is appropriate.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of immunotherapy depends on the cancer type and stage, immunotherapy medication, treatment schedule, number of treatment cycles, laboratory testing, infusion services, monitoring and supportive care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses medicines to help the immune system identify and attack cancer cells.

It may be used for selected cancers based on:

• Cancer type

• Cancer stage

• Biomarker results

• Previous treatments

• Overall health

• Treatment goals

Who May Need Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy may be considered for selected patients with:

• Newly diagnosed cancer

• Advanced cancer

• Metastatic cancer

• Recurrent cancer

• Certain treatment-resistant cancers

• Cancers with appropriate biomarkers

Immunotherapy Consultation

An oncology consultation may include:

• Cancer history

• Physical examination

• Review of pathology

• Review of imaging

• Cancer staging

• Previous treatment review

• Biomarker assessment

• Discussion of treatment options

Immunotherapy Treatment Planning

Treatment planning may consider:

• Cancer type

• Cancer stage

• Tumor characteristics

• Biomarker findings

• Previous therapies

• Overall health

• Potential treatment benefits and risks

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are an important type of immunotherapy.

They work by blocking certain signals that can prevent immune cells from attacking cancer cells.

These medicines may target immune pathways such as:

• PD-1

• PD-L1

• CTLA-4

• Other immune checkpoints

Immunotherapy for Advanced Cancer

Immunotherapy may be used to manage selected advanced or metastatic cancers.

Treatment goals may include:

• Controlling cancer growth

• Shrinking tumors

• Maintaining disease control

• Reducing symptoms

• Supporting long-term cancer control in appropriate patients

Immunotherapy for Recurrent Cancer

When cancer returns after previous treatment, specialists may reassess the disease and determine whether immunotherapy is an appropriate treatment option.

Evaluation may include:

• Imaging

• Pathology

• Biomarker testing

• Previous treatment history

• Current disease status

Immunotherapy With Chemotherapy

Some cancers are treated with a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

This approach may be considered when evidence supports combination treatment for a particular cancer.

Immunotherapy With Targeted Therapy

Selected cancers may be treated using immunotherapy together with targeted cancer medicines.

Treatment selection depends on the cancer's molecular characteristics and clinical circumstances.

Immunotherapy With Radiation Therapy

In selected cases, immunotherapy may be incorporated into a treatment plan that also includes radiation therapy.

The appropriate combination depends on the cancer diagnosis and treatment goals.

Immunotherapy Before Surgery

For selected cancers, immunotherapy may sometimes be administered before surgery.

Potential goals may include:

• Reducing tumor burden

• Treating microscopic cancer

• Improving treatment response

• Supporting surgical treatment planning

Immunotherapy After Surgery

Immunotherapy may be recommended after surgery for selected cancers when appropriate.

The goal may be to reduce the risk of recurrence or treat remaining microscopic disease.

Biomarker Testing

Biomarker testing can help determine whether certain patients may benefit from immunotherapy.

Testing may evaluate:

• PD-L1 expression

• Microsatellite instability

• Mismatch repair status

• Other relevant tumor characteristics

Personalized Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is not appropriate for every cancer or every patient.

Treatment selection may depend on:

• Tumor biology

• Biomarkers

• Cancer stage

• Previous treatment

• Patient health

• Treatment goals

Intravenous Immunotherapy

Many immunotherapy medicines are administered through intravenous infusion.

Treatment may involve:

• Medication preparation

• IV administration

• Monitoring during treatment

• Assessment for treatment reactions

• Supportive care when required

Immunotherapy Treatment Cycles

Immunotherapy is often administered according to a scheduled treatment plan.

The frequency and duration depend on:

• Medication

• Cancer type

• Treatment response

• Side effects

• Individual treatment plan

Immunotherapy Monitoring

Patients receiving immunotherapy may require regular monitoring.

This may include:

• Blood tests

• Physical examinations

• Imaging

• Treatment response assessment

• Monitoring for immune-related effects

Immune-Related Side Effects

Because immunotherapy activates the immune system, it can sometimes cause inflammation affecting normal organs.

Potential effects may involve:

• Skin

• Digestive system

• Liver

• Lungs

• Thyroid and other endocrine organs

• Other organs

Management of Immunotherapy Side Effects

Patients are monitored for symptoms that may indicate immune-related complications.

Treatment may involve:

• Temporary treatment interruption

• Supportive medicines

• Corticosteroids or other immune-modulating treatment when clinically appropriate

• Specialist evaluation

Immunotherapy Treatment Response

Response to immunotherapy may be assessed using:

• Imaging

• Physical examination

• Laboratory testing

• Clinical symptoms

• Other cancer-specific assessments

Response patterns can sometimes differ from those seen with conventional chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy for Different Cancers

Immunotherapy may be used for selected cancers involving:

• Lung

• Kidney

• Bladder

• Melanoma

• Head and neck

• Liver

• Breast

• Gastrointestinal tract

• Other cancers

The specific immunotherapy depends on the diagnosis and clinical indications.

Long-Term Immunotherapy Follow-Up

Patients may require ongoing follow-up during and after treatment.

Follow-up may include:

• Cancer surveillance

• Imaging

• Laboratory testing

• Monitoring for delayed treatment effects

• Assessment of overall health

Immunotherapy Second Opinion

Patients who have received a recommendation for immunotherapy may seek an immunotherapy second opinion.

Specialists may review:

• Pathology

• Imaging

• Biomarker results

• Cancer stage

• Previous treatments

• Proposed immunotherapy regimen

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant cancer records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy reports

• CT scans

• MRI scans

• PET scans

• Biomarker testing

• Molecular testing

• Previous chemotherapy records

• Previous radiation records

• Surgical reports

• Current medication list

Benefits of Specialized Immunotherapy Care

Specialized immunotherapy care may help:

• Identify appropriate immunotherapy candidates

• Provide immune-based cancer treatment

• Evaluate cancer biomarkers

• Treat selected advanced cancers

• Treat selected metastatic cancers

• Combine immunotherapy with other cancer treatments

• Monitor treatment response

• Identify and manage immune-related side effects

• Provide individualized treatment planning

• Provide immunotherapy second opinions

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Immunotherapy?

Cleveland Clinic provides multidisciplinary cancer care involving medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, oncology nurses and other specialists.

Immunotherapy planning can incorporate pathology, cancer staging, biomarker testing, previous treatment history and other clinical information to support individualized cancer treatment.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of immunotherapy depends on the cancer diagnosis, medication, treatment schedule and monitoring requirements.

Potential costs may include:

• Medical oncology consultation

• Pathology review

• Biomarker testing

• Laboratory testing

• Imaging

• Immunotherapy medicines

• Infusion services

• Supportive medications

• Side-effect management

• Follow-up consultations

• Follow-up imaging

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's individual treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is immunotherapy used for?

Immunotherapy may be used to help the immune system recognize and fight certain types of cancer.

2. Is immunotherapy the same as chemotherapy?

No. Chemotherapy directly targets rapidly dividing cells, while immunotherapy works by modifying or activating immune responses against cancer.

3. Does every cancer patient qualify for immunotherapy?

No. Eligibility depends on cancer type, stage, biomarkers, previous treatment and other individual factors.

4. Can immunotherapy be combined with chemotherapy?

Yes. Selected cancers may be treated with immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, targeted therapy or other cancer treatments.

5. How much does immunotherapy cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the immunotherapy medicine, treatment cycles, laboratory testing, infusion services, monitoring and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Immunotherapy

Hospital: Cleveland Clinic

Brand: Cleveland Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Immunotherapy

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA