Early on when my mom was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer last year, I envisioned that she could receive an experimental drug that I believe is on the cutting edge of cancer science: ANKTIVA. Yesterday, that vision became reality. #ANKTIVA is a safe shot (FDA approved only for non-invasive bladder cancer) that, in simple terms, creates more of the body’s own immune cells that kill cancer, while also making them more effective and potentially longer-lasting. These cells are known as NK and Killer T cells, which contribute to a biomarker called ALC (absolute lymphocyte count). Importantly, studies have shown that lower ALC is linked to lower patient survival and ability to overcome cancer. This is why I believe ANKTIVA has the chance to become a really important tool in toolkit against fighting cancer as it increases a patient’s ALC so they have the cells needed to kill cancer, and perhaps it could even be a cancer prevention tool. My mom was able to receive ANKTIVA through compassionate use, which I highly respect @DrPatrick Soon-Shiong and his company, @ImmunityBio, for offering cancer patients as it honors the spirit and principle of a patient’s Right to Try! Additionally, my mom’s superstar oncologist works as a PI for the company’s clinical trials, which is what strongly motivated me to get her to become my mom’s doctor, has done an amazing job treating my mom. Adding in ANKTIVA into her treatment plan is going to be incredibly interesting to follow as she is already on an immunotherapy called Keytruda, which could be thought of as taking the brakes off the immune cells that kill cancer. It’s like when someone’s in a fight and the person holding him back decides to let go and let them have at it. And an analogy to think of ANKTIVA and Keytruda working together could be described as turning a sniper rifle into a machine gun (Keytruda), and having a replenishment of supercharged bullets to keep firing (ANKTIVA). I am still going the distance with my mom until we ring the bell of victory!