Holy Cross Health now offers bispecific therapy, a class of antibody drugs with promising new options for treating cancers that are often resistant to treatment. Bispecific drugs enhance the performance of the body’s immune system to find, target and kill cancer cells effectively.
These cancers include:
- Blood cancers, such as Multiple Myeloma
- Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
Bispecific antibodies are engineered to bind to both cancer cells and healthy immune system cells (T-cells), driving the healthy immune system cells to identify and destroy cancerous cells.
Bispecific therapy is initially administered on a step-up dosing schedule to help minimize adverse effects. Potential side effects include cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicities, which can be life-threatening. Initial treatments are usually administered in the hospital, where patients can be closely monitored for any serious adverse reactions. Patients can proceed with ongoing maintenance in the outpatient setting.
Who is a Candidate?
Eligible candidates are identified during their cancer treatment with the hematologist-oncologists at Holy Cross Health’s Michael and Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Patients who started their therapy at a different cancer center are welcomed into The Holy Cross Health Bispecific Maintenance Therapy Program, where they may continue personalized treatment with skilled clinicians who provide close monitoring, oversight and treatment guidance, with the added benefit of being close to home.
Contact Us
Call 954-542-7700 or request an appointment online.