My Stage 4 brother has been accepted into a study that involves immunotherapy, and he's very happy as none of the traditional chemo meds were working particularly well. I'm pleased that he's pleased, but also a bit concerned since he has to go off ALL meds (including the herceptin that was at least marginally effective in fighting the cancer in his bones). I don't know a whole lot about what the new therapy involves--seems to be about removing his T-cells, altering their genetic makeup, and then putting them back into his body in hopes that they'll act as hyped-up cancer cell killers.

From what I've read the results of this kind of therapy are sometimes miraculous: patients with advanced EC see their multiple tumors shrink until they're undetectable, good solid remissions, the possibility of being declared "cured" someday.

All well and good, but I find that I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing. Statistically only some 20% of patients experience such terrific results. What if Brother ISN'T one of the one in five? Since he'll be off all other chemo drugs the cancer will move with deadly swiftness if the new therapy fails.

I can't bring myself to discuss my concerns with Brother as he's feeling hopeful for the first time in months. But I'm worried. Has anyone had or know of someone who's had this kind of therapy, whatever the results?