ImmunoAdvocate Perspectives: Navigating Cancer Immunotherapy and Survivorship

Sharing one’s cancer survival story is not just a personal act of courage — it has the power to inspire and inform countless others.  

For cancer patients, their families, caregivers, and scientists, hearing from survivors is crucial to understanding immunotherapy’s life-saving potential.  

In June 2024, as part of Cancer Immunotherapy Month, CRI hosted a panel discussion aimed at amplifying the voices of survivors while highlighting the latest breakthroughs in the field.  

Using your own immune system to fight cancer just made sense to me

Kristin Kleinhofer, three-time leukemia survivor

CRI’s Assistant Director of Scientific Content, Ajit Muley, PhD, moderated the roundtable discussion with three CRI ImmunoAdvocates. Dr. Muley credits immunotherapy for providing patients with a fighting chance against cancer, leading to an increased number of survivors. 

“The battle does not end with treatment. Survivors face ongoing challenges, including therapy side effects and necessary lifestyle changes to accommodate new limitations,” Dr. Muley cautioned. “At CRI, we honor and celebrate the resilience of cancer survivors who, despite these obstacles, continue to live their lives to the fullest.” 

The three CRI ImmunoAdvocates that joined Dr. Muley during the panel discussion were:  

• Kristin Kleinhofer, a leukemia survivor from California

• Brendan Connors, a stage IV metastatic melanoma survivor from Connecticut

• Dan Engel, a stage IV metastatic melanoma survivor from California

After Kristin Kleinhofer was treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia with two years of intense chemotherapy, her body had built a resistance to the treatment. Kristin’s doctor then told her about CAR T cell immunotherapy, which would drastically improve the road the recovery for the better. 

“They took my white blood cells to the lab, where they genetically engineered them to recognize the target marker, CD19, that was found on my type of cancer,” Kristin explained. 

“After the infusion, I just physically felt so strong, unlike any of my standard treatments I had before. About three weeks after my CAR T cell infusion, they did a bone marrow biopsy, and no evidence of cancer was found,” she continued. 

Fellow CRI ImmunoAdvocate Brendan Connors had originally planned to solely undergo chemotherapy before changing course and participating in an immunotherapy clinical trial. He was enthusiastic about how participating in clinical trials helps not just an individual, but fellow and future patients, too. 

“You are the one that is helping to trailblaze what this may do for others,” Brendan emphasized. “Being able to know that those two clinical trials not only helped save my life, but it has helped save other lives too – it is very powerful”, he concluded. 

Just like his fellow CRI ImmunoAdvocates, Dan Engel is living proof of immunotherapy’s power that Brendan referenced, but also its potential longevity. He was treated for melanoma with immunotherapy in 1999, long before it had become a more mainstream treatment. 

“My cancer came back for the first time in 2005. I spent two years going between 10 surgeries and six clinical trials,” Dan explained. “I have been cancer free now for 17 years. They actually called me cured, so I will accept that gladly.” 

By sharing their cancer journeys, Kristen, Brendan, and Dan become beacons of hope and resilience, offering others the strength and knowledge they need to navigate their own battles. Their stories help others stay informed, make empowered decisions, and feel a deep sense of support in facing cancer.  

In doing so, they not only inspire those in the fight but also contribute to a greater understanding of the challenges and triumphs that come with this journey, reinforcing the vital role that community and shared experiences play in creating a world immune to cancer.