When someone is told they have stage 4 cancer, the first question is often:
“What now?”
The second is usually: “Is there still hope?”
For many, that search leads to a rising area of treatment: immunotherapy—a way of activating the immune system to fight cancer.
But here’s where it gets complicated:
Some immunotherapies are part of conventional hospital protocols. Others are highly personalized, integrative, or still considered experimental.
So…
Can immunotherapy cure stage 4 cancer?
Let’s unpack what’s possible—and what people are doing when they want more than a standard answer.
First, what is immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that helps your body’s own immune system recognize and attack cancer. Instead of targeting the tumor with drugs or radiation, it strengthens the natural defenses you already have.
The most common types of immunotherapy include:
- Checkpoint inhibitors – FDA-approved drugs that “unblock” immune cells so they can fight cancer
- CAR T-cell therapy – A more intensive approach where your immune cells are genetically engineered
- Dendritic cell therapy – A personalized vaccine that helps your immune system recognize your unique cancer
- Cytokines and cancer vaccines – Substances that boost immune activity in different ways
Some of these are used in hospitals. Others—especially dendritic cell therapy—are used in integrative or international clinics outside of the U.S.
So, can it cure stage 4 cancer?
There’s no universal cure for stage 4 cancer. But in some people, immunotherapy has led to long-term remission—even complete disappearance of the cancer.
The best results have been seen in cancers like:
- Melanoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Certain types of kidney, bladder, and head and neck cancers
In these cases, checkpoint inhibitors are often used early, and some patients have lived for years with no evidence of disease.
But:
- Not everyone responds.
- Not every cancer type is sensitive to these therapies.
- And many people are never even offered immunotherapy—because their tumor doesn’t meet certain eligibility markers.
Why doesn’t it work for everyone?
Every cancer is different. Some tumors are “invisible” to the immune system. Others have environments that block immune cells from working. And some people’s immune systems are too suppressed or confused to respond.
Doctors use tests to see if you might be a good candidate for standard immunotherapy:
- PD-L1 expression
- MSI-high (microsatellite instability)
- TMB (tumor mutational burden)
But if you don’t have these markers—or if you’ve tried and didn’t respond—you’re not out of options.
What if immunotherapy isn’t offered—or didn’t work?
This is where many people start exploring more personalized or integrative options.
Some patients say,
“I want to know everything that’s out there. I don’t want to miss something that might help.”
Here are some of the paths people explore when conventional immunotherapy isn’t enough:
1. Dendritic cell therapy
Dendritic cells are key players in your immune system—messenger cells that “show” the body what to attack.
Dendritic cell therapy takes your own immune cells, programs them to recognize your cancer, and reintroduces them to spark a targeted immune response.
It’s not FDA-approved in the U.S., but some international clinics—especially in Europe and Mexico—have refined this approach.
You can watch our episode with Dr. Matt Halpert from Immunocine — where we explore how personalized immune training is helping patients pursue remission
2. Combining immunotherapy with metabolic or repurposed therapies
Some integrative oncology clinics combine immunotherapy with lower-dose chemotherapy, metabolic approaches (like fasting-mimicking diets), or off-label drugs like metformin, mebendazole, or doxycycline.
The goal is to weaken cancer’s defenses, reduce resistance, and make immune-based treatments more effective.
This layered approach reflects a shift from “single magic bullet” thinking to multi-targeted care.
Looking for doctors who use repurposed drugs? Let’s guide you.
3. Tumor sensitivity testing
Rather than guessing, some patients undergo advanced tumor testing to match their cancer to therapies it may actually respond to—even if they’re not part of the standard toolkit.
This can include:
- Immune pathway mapping
- Metabolic markers
- Drug sensitivity panels
These tests are often offered by integrative clinics or specialty labs.
Dr. Padman Vamadevan explains how he uses tumor vulnerability testing and integrative strategies to help patients make more targeted, lower-toxicity decisions.
So, is immunotherapy a cure?
For some people—yes. It has changed their lives.
But for most, immunotherapy is part of a broader puzzle—one piece among many.
Some use it to reduce tumor burden. Others combine it with repurposed drugs or alternative therapies to improve outcomes.
The key is personalization. The best results happen when treatment is based on you, not just your diagnosis.
Key Takeaways
Immunotherapy has helped some people with stage 4 cancer reach remission—especially in cancers like melanoma and lung.
It doesn’t work for everyone, and isn’t always offered as part of standard care.
Personalized and integrative options—like dendritic cell therapy or tumor testing—may open new doors.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But there is support to help you make the right decision for you.
Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone.
Every week, we speak with people who are navigating this same question:
What are my options—and how do I make the right choice?
That’s where our team comes in.
Speak with a Heal Navigator advisor — We’ll help you understand the difference between standard and integrative approaches, learn about vetted clinics, and feel confident in your next step.
Immunotherapy has helped some people with stage 4 cancer reach remission — especially those with melanoma, lung, bladder, kidney, or head and neck cancers. But not everyone qualifies under current FDA guidelines. That’s why more patients are exploring international or integrative clinics that offer personalized immune-based treatments beyond standard protocols
Schedule a free call here.
