Hi has anybody tried Immunotherapy ? Is it available on the NHS. I have stage 4 BC with mets to bones…
Thanks in advance
Jo
Hi,
I dont think so currently. Government signed a deal with BioNtech to develop mRNA cancer vaccines. Unsure when trials start but Breast Cancer was on the list.
But its a phase 1 trial
Surprised BCN doesnt have a site for news items on drug development where you can be sure the information is accurate.
Hello Yorkshire_Tyke
Thank you for geting back to me. Have you tried Immunotherapy? I am keen to try it, may have to go private.
Hi,
When i was diagnosed with secondaries just under a year ago i went to Christie Msnchester as private patient and Immunotherapy was not mentioned.
As my cancer is ER HR positive and i hadnt already had Letrozole I was put on thst with Ribociclib and Denosumab injections. So fsr its working well for me and i remain very active. Scuba diving, skiing regular at gym etc but that’s my lifestyle so a continuation of pre primary etc…
I have to say its an area of clinical research I keep an eye on as i think its the way forward. Some interesting TED talks on this subject to.
Some trials done in Liverpool but different cancer, and good results.
Hi
Thats great to hear your living so well with it. I have just started Capecitabine pills ive done my first 2 weeks. The side were ok, il stick with this for a while.
Id love to do a trial for immuno do you know how to register for such trials?
Thank you for all this info…
This article says BioNtech have already done some trials and in conjunction with government funding will kick off more trials in 2026.
Never forget that its not just the UK investing in this type of research its global.
The first vaccinations may not be a cure, they may however surpress this disease from progressing.
Cancer Research UK has a list of trials in the UK, might not have everything.
Talk to your oncologist about trials and keep raising the subject. They dont always have time to read up on all the latest research. If you are at Great Marsden or Christie then you will benefit from the research aspect of the oncology team. If you are not then you have to do some homework.
Its early days once you settle on your treatment and get your scan to say its working you will be in a calmer place.
Good Morning Yorkshire_Tyke
Thank you very much for sharing this information…
Im also very interested in this treatment and will start looking into it more.
Best wishes
Jo
Hi jojo231
Thanks for posting, it’s understandable you want to know whether immunotherapy is available as part of your treatment for stage 4 (secondary) breast cancer in the bones.
Immunotherapy is treatment that helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. There are different types of immunotherapy which may be given on their own or with other cancer treatments.
Some types of targeted treatments used in the treatment of breast cancer, are sometimes referred to as immunotherapy, for example trastuzumab (Herceptin), pertuzumab (Perjeta) and trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla).
More recent research on immunotherapy has looked at drugs called checkpoint inhibitors and their use in treating breast cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors block proteins that stop the immune system from attacking cancer cells. Examples include atezolizumab and pembrolizumab.
Atezolizumab and pembrolizumab are available on the NHS for some people with a diagnosis triple negative secondary breast cancer.
A number of clinical trials are continuing to look at how immunotherapy might work for people diagnosed with other types of breast cancer. If you’re interested in finding out more about clinical trials, you may find the Make 2nds Count Patient Trials Advocate service and their UK clinical trial registry helpful to do this. As @Yorkshire_Tyke says, you can also talk to your treatment team about trials you may be eligible for.
Your treatment team can explain whether immunotherapy is a treatment option for you. You might also wish to ask others with secondary breast cancer elsewhere on the forum about their experiences of immunotherapy.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen to your concerns, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).
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Catherine
Breast Care Nurse
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