How Immunotherapy Saved Sonia’s Life

“My experience with immunotherapy was truly a miracle that saved my life and allowed me to bring a new life into this world. For that, I am forever grateful.”

CRI ImmunoAdvocate Sonia Su

Over the past decade immunotherapy has made significant strides in improving patient outcomes for the three major types of blood cancer – leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Specifically, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy has empowered many blood cancer patients to defeat their cancer quickly and live longer lives. Maryland resident Sonia Su considers herself very fortunate to have received CAR T cell immunotherapy one year after her lymphoma diagnosis in 2018. 

“My parents had done some research into CAR T cell immunotherapy and learned about it from an oncologist that had treated my grandfather,” she recalled in a conversation with CRI. She had initially been misdiagnosed with costochondritis, an inflammation-inducing condition that can cause chest pain. A subsequent CT scan and biopsy revealed that it was actually lymphoma. “I received CAR T cell immunotherapy in 2019 and have been in remission ever since.” 

Sonia said her scans were cancer-free merely 30 days after treatment. Since defeating her cancer, she has hoped that one day, CAR T cell immunotherapy will be a viable first-line treatment for other patients. Sonia has put her sentiment about survivors helping others and giving their time into action. She is now a member of CRI’s ImmunoAdvocates community: a collection of cancer survivors and advocates who make themselves available to share their stories and speak with current patients.  

“While it may feel like you have no control at times, know that there is power with knowledge and there is always hope, especially with the advances in immunotherapy,” she stated. “Cancer is already such an isolating, lonely, and terrifying experience, especially as a young adult, but there are so many resources available. Survivors would love to help and share their experiences.”  

Sonia has continued to advocate for herself and for others to ensure an equitable standard of care. She said switching hospitals to ensure she could receive CAR T cell immunotherapy saved her life, and strongly encouraged others to learn and make connections to help navigate their own cancer treatment journeys. CRI is grateful to have heartfelt conversations with ImmunoAdvocates like Sonia, whose engagement and altruism guide us all to create a world immune to cancer.