Joud Hajjar – författare

The second edition of Immunotherapy is an updated overview of immuno-oncology in acute myleloid leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, showcasing advances in the management of cancer broadly classified as hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Though the spectrum of clinical activity and duration of response seen with these agents is promising, objective response is limited to a subset of patients and is often associated with distinct side effects that are potentially life-threatening. With increasing use of checkpoint inhibitors as standard of care and in clinical trials, the burden of immune-related adverse events will undoubtedly increase. Given these limitations and increase in health care costs associated with such therapies, it is essential to identify patients who are likely to respond to immunotherapy and those who are at a risk for developing treatment-related side effects.

This new edition will inform readers on the latest in biomarker development to identify patients who are more likely to respond, and strategies to overcome the challenges of immune-related adverse events. In addition, the authors recognize that including the missing patient voice in clinical trials and longitudinal assessment of symptom reports may help to identify early indicators of response or toxicity. Thus, the book includes a chapter on patient-reported outcomes in patients treated with immunotherapies. The authors believe that acquiring this knowledge will help health care professionals make informed treatment decisions.

Immunotherapy is a rapidly evolving field that mandates frequent revision of the book as new insights to fight cancer emerge. The third edition of Immunotherapy is an updated overview of immuno-oncology in different cancer types and toxicities associated with immunotherapy. It explores the breath of immunotherapeutic strategies available to treat a wide range of cancers, from melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer to gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecologic and nervous system malignancies. With increasing use of checkpoint inhibitors as standard of care and in clinical trials, the challenges associated with their use undoubtedly increase. As objective response is limited to a subset of patients and is often associated with distinct immune related side effects that are potentially life threatening, it is essential to identify patients who are likely to respond to immunotherapy and those who are at a risk for developing treatment-related side effects. In the absence of a validated predictive biomarker, innovative technologies and assays are being used to identify critical biomarkers that drive the immune response. Hence, a chapter to provide a basic understanding of the diagnostic procedures has been included besides the chapter on the cellular components of the human immune system. This new edition will also inform readers on use of novel microbiome and imaging approaches.  Finally, the book includes a chapter on patient-reported outcomes in patients treated with immunotherapies as the authors recognize the importance of including missing patient voice in clinical trials and longitudinal assessment of symptom reports. In short, the third edition of this book provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the field of immune-oncology that will help health care professionals make informed treatment decisions.

The  book’s chapters are written by a diverse cast of experts conducting cutting-edge research,providing the reader with the most up-to-date science.