Immunotherapy
Advancing Cancer Care Through the Power of Your Immune System
Immunotherapy is one of the most promising advances in modern cancer treatment. Rather than directly attacking cancer cells the way chemotherapy or some targeted therapies do, immunotherapy helps your own immune system recognize and fight cancer — often with fewer side effects and long-lasting results.
At Katmai Oncology, patients receive the latest FDA-approved immunotherapies in a comfortable, closely monitored setting. While not every patient is a candidate for these treatments, our team carefully evaluates each case to determine whether immunotherapy is appropriate.
You can trust our board-certified oncologists and oncology-certified nurses to deliver care that combines medical precision with the compassion Katmai is known for across Alaska.
What is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy — sometimes called “biologic therapy” — uses substances that stimulate or restore the body’s natural defenses against cancer. These treatments can:
• Help immune cells recognize and attack cancer
• Block signals that cancer cells use to hide from the immune system
• Amplify the immune response against tumors
Most immunotherapies are given by IV infusion, some are given by injection, and a few oral immunomodulatory agents are used for select blood cancers. Immunotherapy can be administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or other targeted therapies.
Your care plan at Katmai Oncology is never generic. We design each treatment around your specific cancer type, stage, and molecular profile, ensuring coordination between your oncologist, surgeon, and primary-care team.
Types of Immunotherapy We Use
Our oncologists provide a range of evidence-based immunotherapies, including:
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (Monoclonal Antibodies)
These drugs block proteins such as PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4, which cancer cells use to “turn off” immune responses. By releasing these brakes, your immune system can recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. Checkpoint inhibitors are commonly used for lung cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and certain colon, liver, and head-and-neck cancers.
Bi-Specific Antibodies and Cellular Immunotherapy
In select cases, patients may receive treatments that link immune cells directly to tumor cells or reprogram their own immune cells to recognize cancer. Your eligibility for these treatments depends on your cancer type, stage, and biomarker testing results. Your physician will review the options appropriate for you.
Which Cancers May Benefit from Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy may be appropriate for several cancers, including:
• Lung cancer – alone or combined with chemotherapy
• Melanoma and advanced skin cancers – often as first-line treatment
• Colorectal cancer – for tumors with MSI-H or dMMR gene profiles
• Head and neck cancers – especially recurrent or metastatic disease
• Liver cancer – frequently paired with other targeted therapies
• Triple-negative breast cancer – in select cases based on lab findings
Our team continuously reviews emerging clinical data to ensure all Alaskans have access to the most up-to-date, effective therapies.
What to Expect During Treatment
Immunotherapy is typically administered in our on-site infusion suite at either the Anchorage or Eagle River clinic. Most sessions last a few hours and are performed in a relaxing, comfortable environment. During each visit, our oncology-certified nursing staff monitors your infusion and checks for side effects.
Because immunotherapy works by stimulating the immune system, some patients may experience fatigue, rash, flu-like symptoms, or — in rare cases — inflammation in organs such as the lungs, liver, or thyroid.
Before your first treatment, your provider will review more details on exactly what you can expect and how to manage any symptoms that occur.
Every immunotherapy patient receives focused, individualized attention from a team trained in the newest immune-based treatments and the practical needs of daily cancer care.
Coordinated, Whole-Person Care
• Southcentral Alaska’s only QOPI®-certified oncology practice, recognized for excellence in safety, quality, and patient-centered treatment
• Board-certified oncologists with experience in immune checkpoint inhibitors, biologic agents, and cellular therapies
• OCN®-certified infusion nurses who specialize in the safe administration and management of immunotherapy
• On-site laboratory and infusion suites for bloodwork and treatment in one visit
• In-office prescription dispensary where patients can fill specialty cancer medications before leaving the clinic
• In-house patient navigators who assist with insurance approvals, travel planning, and financial support
Our goal is to deliver leading-edge immunotherapy with the compassion, accessibility, and seamless coordination Alaskans deserve.
Learn More or Request a Consultation
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and want to explore whether immunotherapy may be right for you, we’re here to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation.