Medical Oncology

Immunotherapy

High-Dose IL-2 Program

The IL-2 Team

• Anthony Jarkowski, PharmD
• Jill Nestico, RN, MS, ACNP-BC, ANP-C
• Karen L. Vona RN, ANP-BC
• Tammy Hecke, RN, BSN
• JoAnne McVey, BSN, MSN, FNP-C IL-2 Unit Manager

Phone (toll-free): 1-888 WONG IL2 (1-888-966-4452)

Local 716-845-8534 Fax: 716-845-4542

Your first visit with us will be in the Outpatient Clinic, where you will meet your physician and the rest of the IL-2 team for the first time. We will review your medical records, scans, and previous treatments with you and do a physical exam. Then we will explain procedures and protocols and describe a typical IL-2 admission, so you will know what to expect.

We want you to ask questions. Be sure to discuss any concerns or scheduling issues with us. We encourage you to come with your support team (family, close friends, and/or spouse).

We have developed a booklet to answer some of the most common questions about our IL-2 program. If you have more questions after meeting us and reading this booklet please call us at 716-845-8534.

Drug Profile: IL-2

Interferon

Interferon alpha is another type of immunotherapy – a therapy that stimulates your body’s own immune system to change the way it responds to cancer cells. Interferon alfa reacts with receptors on the outside of the cells and disturbs these cells’ ability to reproduce.

Chemotherapy

Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy as part of your treatment plan. Chemotherapy agents are drugs that kill cancer cells. Often, you will hear it called “chemo” for short. These drugs work by stopping cancer cells from growing and multiplying

Unfortunately, healthy cells can be affected too – particularly cells that reproduce quickly, such as those that line your hair follicles and your digestive tract. This is what causes many of the side effects commonly associated with chemo. The good news is that these cells usually repair themselves after chemotherapy has ended. Side effects will vary greatly from person to person, depending on many factors including the drugs used, the dose, and your general health.

Chemotherapy may be prescribed to cure or control cancer or to relieve symptoms and make you more comfortable.

• The downtown Buffalo Chemotherapy Infusion Center (CIC) is located on the ground floor of the hospital. The phone number is (716) 845-8954.
• The suburban location, the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Amherst Center, is located in Suite 290, at 100 College Parkway in the Town of Amherst. It is off of Youngs Road between Main Street and Wehrle Drive. The telephone number is (716) 845-2900.

Both the downtown and the Amherst chemotherapy centers are staffed with highly skilled nurses who have received special training in administering chemotherapy. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask your highly skilled and knowledgeable nurses.

Knowing what to expect can help relieve your apprehension and help you feel in control.

To learn more about chemotherapy and our Centers and what to expect, please review Your Guide to the Chemotherapy Infusion Center.

Chemotherapy Agents

The medications listed below are used to treat kidney cancer:

Sunitinib malate (Sutent®)

Sorafenib (Nexavar®)

Temsirolimus (Torisel®)

Everolimus (Afinitor®)