period, FDA also expanded the use of a previously approved ICI, atezolizumab (Tecentriq), for the treatment of patients including children and young adults with alveolar soft part sarcoma, such as Isabella (Bella) Snow Fraser, p. 110, and Alexis Browning, p. 112. CAR T-cell therapy is designed to dramatically increase the number of cancer-killing T cells a patient has, thereby boosting the immune system’s ability to seek and destroy cancer cells. The first CAR-T cell therapy was approved in 2017 for the treatment of children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, such as Cayden Addison, p. 114. As of July 31, 2023, the FDA has approved six distinct CAR T-cell therapies for the treatment of a range of hematologic cancers. T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies are another type of immunotherapy that works by bringing cancer-killing T cell in close proximity to the cancer cells. Between August 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023, FDA approved four new T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, such as Cindy Brown, p. 122, and several additional hematologic cancers. Cytokines, such as interferon-alpha (IFNα), are molecules that are released by immune cells, and can boost the cancer-killing function of the immune system. The December 2022 FDA approval of nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg (Adstiladrin), an interferon-based cancer immunotherapy, was a major advance in the treatment of patients with bladder cancer such as Lesa Kirkman, p. 118. Despite the significant advances that have been made, only a small number of patients who are treated with an FDAapproved immunotherapeutic respond to the treatment. There are disparities in the access to these cutting-edge treatments. In addition, the current FDA-approved immunotherapeutics are not effective against all types of cancer. Identifying ways to increase the number of patients for whom treatment with an immunotherapeutic yields a remarkable and durable response is an area of intensive basic and clinical research investigation. The new frontier of cancer immunotherapy, which includes preventive and therapeutic vaccines, innovative cell therapies, novel checkpoint inhibitors, and a new age of treatment combinations, is poised to transform the future of clinical cancer care. Supporting Cancer Patients and Survivors Unprecedented advances in cancer treatments over the past decade have led to more patients living longer and fuller lives after a cancer diagnosis. As of January 2022, the most recent year for which such data are available, there are more than 18 million people living with a history of a cancer diagnosis, which equates to about five percent of the U.S. population. This is a significant improvement from 50 years ago when cancer survivors constituted only 1.4 percent of the U.S. population. The number of survivors is expected to grow to 26 million by 2040. Understanding and addressing the short- and long-term challenges faced by cancer survivors, supporting their quality of life, and ensuring that care is accessible and equitable are important priorities in cancer survivorship research. Cancer survivors are individuals who receive a diagnosis of cancer, beginning from when they are diagnosed through the balance of their lives. Survivors often face physical, psychosocial, and financial challenges, both during and after the conclusion of treatment; some continue to receive treatment indefinitely to manage their cancer. These challenges also extend to friends and family members who often act as informal caregivers. Health-related quality of life is increasingly being assessed by researchers in the development of new therapies and in clinical trials using patient reported outcomes. Understanding these challenges as well as how to reduce or eliminate them is an active area of research and continues to evolve as new therapies are discovered and used in the clinic. Researchers are exploring ways to utilize palliative care, psychooncology, and other evidence-based strategies to improve quality of life for survivors of cancer. Engaging in physical activity, eliminating tobacco use, and eating a healthy diet have all been shown to improve the survivorship experience and improve cancer outcomes. Ongoing research is investigating the potential of new technologies, such as wearable devices, and innovative interventions, such as coordinated care, that may improve quality of life and meet the personalized needs of cancer survivors and their caregivers. Oncolytic viruses Checkpoint inhibitors T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies Vaccines Cytokines Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity promoting antibodies CAR T cells TYPES OF CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY Executive Summary AACR Cancer Progress Report 2023 7
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