The words “stage 4 cancer” once meant a death sentence. By the time someone gets to stage 4, they have tried multiple treatments that didn’t work. Families are hoping to find ANYTHING that could give their loved ones more time.
And that’s happening now. People who were once told they had just months to live are now living for years—or in some cases decades. One big reason? Immunotherapy.
This breakthrough has many asking: can immunotherapy cure stage 4 cancer? While doctors across the country are seeing more advanced cancer patients go into remission after trying immunotherapy, the answer isn’t straightforward. So, let’s see how immunotherapy works and if it can cure everyone with stage 4 cancer.
What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system recognize and fight cancer cells more effectively. Unlike chemotherapy which attacks all rapidly dividing cells, immunotherapy helps your body recognize and attack cancer cells directly. The goal is to go after the cancer, not the healthy parts of your body.
There are a few main types of immunotherapy:
I. Monoclonal Antibodies
These are man-made proteins that help your body find and attack harmful cells, like cancer. They’re designed to find one specific thing, like a marker on a cancer cell, and stick to it. Once they attach, they can help stop the cancer from growing or signal your immune system to destroy it.
Think of them like a key that fits a specific lock on a bad cell. Once the key fits, it either shuts down the cell or calls in backup to get rid of it.
II. Checkpoint Inhibitors
Your immune system has built-in brakes called checkpoints that keep it from attacking healthy cells by mistake. Some cancer cells take advantage of these brakes to hide and avoid attack.
Checkpoint inhibitors release those breaks, so your immune cells can see the cancer and go after it. Common examples of checkpoint inhibitors are Keytruda and Opdivo, often used in cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, and others.
III. CAR T-cell Therapy
In this type, doctors take some of your T-cells (a white blood cell that fights infection). In a lab, they reprogram those T-cells to find and attack cancer cells. Once the cells are ready, they’re infused back into your body, now trained to hunt down and destroy the cancer. It’s mostly used for some types of blood cancer, like leukemia and lymphoma.
IV. Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines work kind of like regular vaccines, but instead of preventing a virus like the flu, they help your body fight cancer. Some prevent cancer (like the HPV vaccine), and others are designed to recognize and attack cancer cells that are already in your body.
V. Immune System Modulators
These medicines boost or balance your immune system to make it better at fighting cancer.
So Can Immunotherapy Cure Stage 4 Cancer?
In cancer terms, a “cure” means the cancer is gone and stays gone for years, with no signs of coming back. That’s a tall order, especially in stage 4, where cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
However, some cancers, like melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, have shown good responses to immunotherapy even in stage 4. Other cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, are less responsive to current immunotherapeutic approaches. Overall, immunotherapy response is based on several factors including:
- The type of cancer and its location in the body
- The specific treatment used
- How your body reacts to it
- How far the cancer has spread and your overall health
- The strength of a patient’s immune system
- The patient’s overall health and prior treatments
Some people respond well, almost like a miracle, while others may see little to no improvement.
Cancers Where Immunotherapy Has Shown Big Results
1. Melanoma
Melanoma or skin cancer, was once almost deadly at stage 4, now has some patients living years cancer-free after treatment. A study found that patients with stage IV melanoma who received immunotherapy had a survival of 20.2 months, compared to 7.4 months for those who did not receive immunotherapy.1
2. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
NSCLC, a common and often deadly form of lung cancer, has seen improved survival rates with immunotherapy. An analysis indicated that immunotherapy has enhanced survival at the population level for stage 4 NSCLC patients in the U.S., confirming its transformative impact.2
Immunotherapy Can Add Years to Your Life
Even in cases when immunotherapy doesn’t cure stage 4 cancer, it can still buy time—sometimes years. In the cancer world, we call this a “durable response.” It means the cancer either shrinks or stops growing for a long time, without the need for constant treatment.
Some patients with stage 4 cancer who were told they only have months to live, have been treated with immunotherapy, gone into remission, and are still cancer-free five, even ten years later.
Personalized Immunotherapy: Matching Treatment to the Patient
Every person’s cancer is different. Even if two people have the same type of cancer (like lung or melanoma), the way it behaves in the body and how the immune system reacts can be completely different. So doctors personalize immunotherapy to fit the unique characteristics of the patient’s cancer and immune system.
Doctors can run special lab tests on your tumor or your blood to see if certain types of immunotherapy are likely to work. They look at your cancer’s DNA to find specific mutations. They assess how strong or weak your immune system is because immunotherapy can also have side effects. If doctors can match you with the most effective treatment, you’re more likely to get results with fewer risks.
Immunotherapy: A Promising Option for Many Patients
Immunotherapy is not a guaranteed cure for stage 4 cancer, but it offers hope—something that was short a decade ago. Researchers are working to increase the potential for immunotherapy to cure advanced cancers. The future of immunotherapy is more lives saved, less cost, and fewer side effects.
If you’re a cancer warrior reading this, you’re not alone. The medical community continues to make advances in cancer treatment. Always consult with your oncologist about the latest treatment options, and remember that even in difficult circumstances, there’s always room for hope.
FAQs
1. Is immunotherapy safe for everyone?
Not always. People with health issues (like autoimmune diseases or infections) may not tolerate it well. Doctors run tests to see if you’re a good candidate.
2. What are the side effects of immunotherapy?
Side effects of immunotherapy can include fatigue, skin rashes, inflammation, or autoimmune reactions. Some people experience a few issues, while others may need to stop treatment if side effects get serious.
3. Why doesn’t immunotherapy work for all stage 4 cancers?
Some cancers are better at hiding from the immune system or don’t respond to current immunotherapy drugs. Research is ongoing to find new ways to make it work for more cancer types.
4. Is immunotherapy expensive?
Yes, it can cost $10,000 to $20,000 per dose. That’s why doctors carefully evaluate who will likely benefit, to avoid unnecessary costs without good outcomes.
5. Can immunotherapy be combined with other treatments?
Yes, It’s often used alongside chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy to improve results.
6. How do I know if immunotherapy is right for me or my loved one?
Start by speaking with your oncologist. They are the most qualified to evaluate your specific case and determine if immunotherapy might be beneficial. Your primary care physician can also help coordinate referrals to the right specialists.
