Immunotherapy
Turn to UC San Diego Health for immunotherapy treatments designed to precisely target your cancer.
As one of the nation’s leading cancer centers, we're pioneering innovative immunotherapy approaches to expand your treatment options and deliver advanced care.
What Is Cancer Immunotherapy?
Cancer immunotherapy uses your immune system to combat cancer. Instead of directly attacking tumors, immunotherapy trains your immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Immunotherapy can be used alone or as part of combination therapy, depending on the type and stage of cancer.
Types of Cancers Treated with Immunotherapy
At UC San Diego Health, immunotherapy is now standard treatment for several types of cancer, including:
Types of Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy harnesses the power of your immune system to fight cancer. Below are the key types of immunotherapy we offer, each targeting cancer in unique ways:
Checkpoint inhibitors: These antibodies block cancer cells’ ability to avoid immune system attacks. They are used to treat melanoma, lung, kidney, bladder, head and neck cancers, and lymphoma by targeting specific pathways (such as PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4). Checkpoint inhibitors effectively "release the brakes" on the immune system, allowing it to recognize and attack cancer cells.
CAR T-cell therapy: This revolutionary treatment uses your white blood cells that are genetically modified to target and destroy specific cancer cells. CAR T-cell therapy is particularly effective for certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other blood cancers.
Cytokine therapy: Proteins like interleukins and interferons stimulate your immune system to kill cancer cells. These therapies are commonly used for melanoma, kidney cancer and certain blood cancers to strengthen the immune system’s natural responses.
Cancer vaccines: These experimental treatments train your immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells. These vaccines are available only by participating in a pilot research study or clinical trial at our Precision Immunotherapy Clinic, which offers innovative ways to prevent or treat cancers.
Monoclonal antibodies and targeted antibodies: These specialized antibodies bind to specific cancer cell markers, marking the cells for destruction by the immune system or delivering toxins directly to the cancer. Examples include Rituximab for lymphoma and Trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer.
Oncolytic virus therapy: This advanced approach uses genetically modified viruses that selectively infect and kill cancer cells while stimulating an immune response. Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is an oncolytic virus therapy for melanoma that's approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT): Beyond CAR T-cell therapy, ACT includes tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. This process involves harvesting a patient’s immune cells from the tumor, expanding them in a lab, and then reintroducing them to fight cancer more effectively.
Immune system modulators: These therapies, which include agents such as CpG-ODNs and Imiquimod, boost your overall immune activity. They are often used alongside other treatments to make them more effective.
Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs): BiTEs are specially engineered antibodies that link T-cells to cancer cells, guiding the immune system to attack tumors. This approach is being studied in clinical trials for various cancers.
Neoantigen-based therapies: These personalized treatments identify unique tumor mutations (neoantigens) to develop tailored vaccines or T-cell therapies. These therapies leverage the distinct characteristics of your cancer for highly targeted attacks.
Dendritic cell therapy: In this specialized vaccine-like therapy, dendritic cells are engineered to present cancer antigens and enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy tumors. Sipuleucel-T, for prostate cancer, is one such example.
Your oncologist will work with you to determine the best immunotherapy option for your specific cancer.
Precision Immunotherapy Clinic
Certain novel immunotherapies are only available through our Precision Immunotherapy Clinic, which offers patients early access to the most promising new approaches through participation in a research study or clinical trial. Talk to your oncologist about whether participation in a clinical trial is right for you.
Advantages of Immunotherapy
Here are the potential benefits of including immunotherapy in your cancer treatment plan.
Access to Hard-to-Reach Areas
Immunotherapy can target cancer cells in areas that may be hard to reach with surgery or other traditional treatments, providing a vital option for patients with advanced or difficult-to-treat cancers.
Targeting Dormant Cancer Cells
Unlike many treatments that focus on rapidly dividing cells, immunotherapy can identify and attack dormant cancer cells that may cause the disease to grow or return.
Long-Term Immune System Protection
By training the immune system's "memory cells," immunotherapy can provide ongoing defense against cancer, reducing the likelihood of recurrence even after treatment ends.
Personalized and Adaptive Approach
Many types of immunotherapies can be tailored to the unique genetic or molecular profile of your cancer, making treatment more precise and effective.
Fewer Systemic Side Effects
Compared to traditional treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy often has more targeted action, which may lead to fewer side effects for many patients.
Immunotherapy Specialists A team approach to your care
At UC San Diego Health, your cancer care is led by a multidisciplinary team of doctors who specialize in your type of cancer. Highly specialized multidisciplinary care is a hallmark of top-tier academic medical centers such as UC San Diego Health. For patients like you, it means you receive the highest level of care. Find an immunotherapy specialist.
Does Insurance Cover Immunotherapy?
Yes, immunotherapy is usually covered by insurance, but coverage can depend on several factors, including the type of cancer, the specific immunotherapy treatment and your insurance plan.
What Is Typically Covered?
- FDA-approved immunotherapies: Treatments like checkpoint inhibitors (such as pembrolizumab or nivolumab) and CAR T-cell therapy are often covered by insurance for approved uses.
- Standard of care: Immunotherapy that's considered standard treatment for your cancer type is more likely to be covered.
Patient & Family Support Services
At UC San Diego Health, your care goes beyond treating disease. It also includes supporting you and your loved ones emotionally throughout your cancer journey. Most of our support services are free.
Location
Cancer Care When You Need It
The same-day cancer care clinic at UC San Diego Health provides fast, expert treatment for urgent cancer-related symptoms, improving patient care and quality of life.
Beating B-Cell Lymphoma
Katie Kinninger, UC San Diego retiree and cancer survivor, overcame B-cell lymphoma with CAR T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy. Now, she surfs, bikes and embraces life fully.
A Strike Against Pancreatic Cancer
Former MLB pitcher Danny Boitano faced his toughest opponent — pancreatic cancer. With resilience, top care at UC San Diego Health and faith, he is beating the odds.