Immunotherapy, a treatment that frees the immune system to attack cancer, has produced remarkable results in some patients. But it doesn¡¯t work for everyone. That¡¯s why MD Anderson researchers are combining immunotherapy with other treatments, so more patients can benefit.
Annual Report 2018 : From diagnosis to remission in three months
Lymphoma clinical trial helps entrepreneur get back to business
Getting back to business is a top priority for this entrepreneurial mom
Kelly Hale is in remission after participating in a clinical trial testing a two-drug combination for follicular lymphoma. Photo by Wyatt McSpadden
Kelly Hale didn¡¯t have time to be sick. With four active teenagers and a business to run, she was grateful that within three months of being diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, she was able to get back to the activities she loves.
The 52-year-old entrepreneur, who owns Multitudes, a women¡¯s clothing and jewelry boutique, and has a passion for antiques and home renovation, knew it was a ¡°tell-tale sign¡± when she didn¡¯t feel well enough to continue renovations of the 100-year-old home she and her family are restoring.
In fact, Hale hadn¡¯t been feeling well for nearly two years before learning in early October 2017 she had the slow-growing B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. During that time, she experienced low energy, thirst, itching and night sweats. A routine mammogram two months earlier revealed enlarged lymph nodes, and a biopsy was taken. The finding was follicular lymphoma.
Immediate response
Hale knew immediately where she would go for treatment.
¡°My father had been treated successfully for esophageal cancer at MD Anderson and I was so impressed with the treatment and care,¡± she says. ¡°I put calls into three cancer facilities, but MD Anderson responded immediately.¡±
Hale had an appointment at MD Anderson scheduled ¡°within 30 minutes of calling,¡± and was offered standard chemotherapy or enrollment in a clinical trial.
¡°I didn¡¯t want to look sick. I didn¡¯t want to lose my hair,¡± she says. ¡°I opted for the study, although some family members were saying ¡®hold on a minute.¡¯¡±
Combination drug trial
She joined an MD Anderson clinical trial led by , assistant professor of Lymphoma & Myeloma. The Phase II clinical trial included treatment with a combination therapy of obinutuzumab and lenalidomide for follicular lymphoma patients who haven¡¯t yet been treated for the disease. The four-year study, which aims to enroll 90 patients, had started just six months before Hale entered.
Obinutuzumab is an FDA-approved monoclonal antibody that binds to a protein on cancer-causing B lymphocytes or B cells, triggering an attack by the patient¡¯s immune system that kills the B cells.
The FDA-approved immunotherapy agent lenalidomide causes cancer cell death and has been used successfully to treat inflammatory disorders and cancers such as multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes.
¡°I had a textbook response with very few side effects,¡± says Hale, who lives in Waxahachie, about 30 miles south of Dallas. ¡°Since then, I have had three PET scans and continue to be in remission. I¡¯ll soon cut back my visits for infusions at MD Anderson to every two months.¡±
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