Immunotherapy

What Is Immunotherapy?
Why UT Southwestern?
Benefits
What to Expect
Supportive Care

Immunotherapy is transforming how certain cancers are treated by training the body to detect and destroy cancer cells. At UT Southwestern, treatment is guided by compassion, collaboration, and the latest research.

What Is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that boosts the body’s own defense system so it can recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. It’s often given as an infusion therapy, meaning the medication is delivered directly into the bloodstream through a vein (IV). It may also be taken by mouth, applied as a cream to the skin, or placed directly into a body cavity, such as the bladder.

Types of immunotherapy include:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors: Drugs that block certain “checkpoints” on immune cells, allowing those cells to carry out a stronger attack against cancer
T-cell transfer therapy (adoptive cell therapy): A treatment that grows a patient’s most active cancer-fighting T cells in a lab and returns them to the body
Monoclonal antibodies: Lab-made proteins that attach to specific targets on cancer cells, helping the immune system see and destroy those cells
Treatment vaccines: Vaccines that teach the body to identify and respond to cancer cells
Immune system modulators: Therapies that boost or direct the body’s overall immune response against cancer

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Immunotherapy?

At Simmons Cancer Center, patients are cared for by an experienced, interdisciplinary team that includes specialists such as a medical oncologist, clinic nurse, dietitian, nurse navigator, and infusion nurse. Patients also benefit from access to convenient infusion therapy locations across the region, each designed with comfort in mind.

UT Southwestern was the first center in Texas to offer CAR T-cell therapy (a type of immunotherapy) for advanced cancer and now leads the region in experience with this leading-edge treatment. Additionally, researchers in our Experimental Therapeutics Program are advancing cancer immunotherapy by translating groundbreaking research into more precise, personalized treatments.

What Are the Benefits of Immunotherapy?

While each patient’s experience is unique, immunotherapy has several potential advantages, such as:

Improved survival for some patients, even with advanced cancer
Effectiveness against a growing number of cancer types
Flexibility to be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other immunotherapies
The potential for fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy
Long-term control of cancer

What Conditions Does Immunotherapy Treat?

Immunotherapy can be effective for certain cancers, especially when other treatments have not worked or are no longer effective. Some immunotherapy drugs are approved as standard treatments, while others are only available through clinical trials.

Cancers commonly treated with immunotherapy include:

Head and neck cancers
Certain types of lymphoma and leukemia
Advanced cervical and liver cancers (through preventive vaccines)

The list of treatable cancers continues to grow as researchers develop new drugs and combinations.

What Should Patients Expect with Immunotherapy?

Before Immunotherapy

Before starting immunotherapy, patients receive a personalized treatment plan developed by their care team. This includes details about the medications, treatment schedule, and how the therapy will be delivered – such as through a vein (IV), a port, or a pill.

We often require bloodwork before each session to check the body’s readiness for treatment, measuring key markers such as white and red blood cell counts, platelets, liver function, and electrolytes.

Patients are typically advised to:

Continue taking prescribed medications, unless told otherwise
Eat a small, bland meal before treatment, as recommended by the care team
Bring comfort items such as books, snacks, or headphones to help pass the time
Arrive early to check in and prepare for the infusion process

During Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy treatments may take place in an infusion center, clinic, or hospital outpatient unit. Patients are usually seated in a shared treatment space, often referred to as an infusion room. The treatment may last several hours, depending on the medication and type of infusion.

During treatment, patients can expect:

To receive medications through an IV, a port, or in other forms (such as pills or creams)
Monitoring by nurses who are specially trained in administering immunotherapy
To stay in a comfortable chair, possibly alongside other patients receiving similar treatments
To have access to snacks, entertainment, and support staff during the session

Patients may feel tired during or after treatment. The care team monitors for side effects and is available to answer questions or provide support throughout the session.

woman holding stomach as she is feeling sick after chemotherapy

Simmons Acute Care

Simmons Acute Care offers same-day appointments for established patients experiencing urgent symptoms or side effects (appointment required).

Learn More

What Are the Side Effects of Immunotherapy?

After treatment, we continue to monitor patients through regular exams and lab tests to see how well the therapy is working.

Patients may experience side effects, especially if the immune system affects healthy cells. The care team will provide guidance on how to manage any symptoms, when to call the doctor, and how to stay safe at home. Each person responds differently, and not all patients experience the same side effects.

Common post-treatment side effects include:

Fatigue, which may last for days or weeks
Chills
Shortness of breath
Changes in appetite or digestion
Diarrhea
Skin rash or itching
Joint pain
Possible flu-like symptoms or mild inflammation

Patients experiencing side effects should reach out to their care team via the Simmons Cancer Center HOPE Line at 214-645-4673. Connecting with the care team at the onset of symptoms allows us to manage side effects early and prevent complications.

If a patient is experiencing chest pain or having trouble breathing, call 911 or visit an emergency department.

Locations for Immunotherapy

Patients can receive immunotherapy at any of our four infusion centers, each staffed with supportive oncology specialists who treat patients like family.

Patients can choose the location that is most convenient for them. Please contact our care team to see whether treatment can be administered at a different location.

Articles from Our Experts on Immunotherapy

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Cancer

Identifying cancer biomarkers for immunotherapy

January 19, 2020
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Cancer; Kidneys

New immunotherapy can prevent kidney cancer recurrence after surgery: Is it right for you?
- Hans Hammers, M.D., Ph.D.
March 18, 2022

Supportive Care Services for Immunotherapy

At Simmons Cancer Center, patients have access to dedicated classes, group sessions, and one-on-one appointments to help address specific concerns and create a care plan that aligns with their needs and goals.

Learn more about supportive care.