Anyone know

[NRd19]

If you have a rare blood type can you revive immune therapy?

[Denzie]

Yes. The use of immunotherapy is based on the tumor’s DNA, not your blood type. They will test your tumor for something called PDL-1 or PD-1. If the tumor has a PDL-1 or PD-1 above a certain measurement you can receive immunotherapy.

Different treatments, and different cancers will require different levels so your oncologist will determine which one when the genomic results are finished.

[NRd19 in reply to Denzie]

Thank you my farther in law is not in the best of health and think this treatment may suit him better let keep fingers crossed 🤞 for him xx

[Denzie]

Meant to say that I’m sorry your family has had to face this again. I hope your dad continues to do well and your father-in-law does well.

[WDebens in reply to Denzie]

I have one of the rarer types of cancer. The talk in our group and from the experts is that immunotherapy doesn’t work with out type of cancer. However, I have had one cycle of pembrolizumab before we knew about my mutation . That one dose of pembrolizumab significantly reduced my tumours and the swelling of my lymph nodes to the extent that my oncologist couldn’t feel them at all. I was gutted that the pembrolizumab caused colitis - I cant take it in the future.

[NRd19 in reply to Denzie]

Thank you we are all hoping things go well xx

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear NRd19

It is great to hear that your Dad has had a good response to the immunotherapy and sorry to hear about your father-in -law, so difficult for you all to go through this process again.

Immunotherapy can be given to all blood types, however in other cancers i.e blood type cancers, this can be challenging to manage if the person requires frequent blood transfusions where certain types of immunotherapy drugs can cause cross reactivity of the red blood cells making it difficult for safe donor transfer of the blood.

As you may know immunotherapy is dependent on the protein PD-L1 being present in the cancer tissue from the lung biopsy.

It may be that your father- in- law has different treatment options depending on the type and stage of cancer.

Although you have been through this with your Dad, you or your family may find this link to our booklet useful in 'managing a lung cancer diagnosis':

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

All our information booklets on our website have booklets from diagnosis through to different treatments and what to expect, these can be found from this link:

roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

Prior to any treatment for your father-in-law, his general health will be assessed and any underlying health problems will be looked at to ensure these can be managed well during the treatment.

If you wish to discuss anything further you or the family can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[NRd19 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you so much , dad is doing so well we are all so pleased , my father in law has a few health problems Diabetes and heart problem so I’m hoping that treatments will be available once we know the staging of the cancer .

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

You are very welcome, the oncologist teams are excellent and experienced in their delivery of care of multiple chronic health conditions, these can be well managed or adjusted accordingly.

Hopefully you will know the treatment plan soon and please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss anything once you know more information.

Email: [e-mail]

Nurse helpline freephone 0800 358 7200

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team