SAN DIEGO, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ — More than 120 cancer
survivors and caregivers, cancer-treating physicians, and patient
advocates gathered in San Diego to share their Proleukin®
(aldesleukin for injection) treatment experiences. The theme
of the meeting, Celebrating Our (Un)Common Journey Patient Summit,
is believed to be the largest-ever gathering of metastatic renal
cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) and metastatic melanoma (skin
cancer) survivors.
The Summit, which featured a series of informal group
discussions and presentations, offered participants a unique
opportunity to share their personal stories of struggle and
triumph, and discuss ways to make the journey easier for those
currently undergoing treatment and for those who are treated in the
future.
“A cancer diagnosis can be devastating, and can make you think
you’re all alone in fighting the disease,” commented kidney cancer
survivor Bob Gallner. “Meeting all these other people who have
survived metastatic kidney cancer and metastatic melanoma
reinforces, for me, the importance for patients to be aware of all
their treatment options, because as this weekend demonstrated,
there is possibility for a lasting solution to these advanced
cancers.”
More than 58,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year
in the U.S., and nearly 13,000 Americans are expected to die from
the disease by the end of 2010(1). Melanoma, the most serious form
of skin cancer, strikes an estimated 68,000 U.S. adults annually,
and claims approximately 8,700 lives a year(2). The metastatic
forms of these cancers can be treated with Proleukin, a form of
immunotherapy that enhances the body’s natural immune system to
help fight cancer. Proleukin is the only FDA-approved treatment
available that may provide a durable, complete response for either
disease(3)(4)(5)(6).
“The Patient Summit is an example of our ongoing commitment to
the cancer community,” explained Joseph M. Limber, President
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