Lung cancer survivor grateful for immunotherapy clinical trial

It’s been almost a year since Att Callahan was diagnosed with stage IIB lung cancer. The diagnosis came after she began coughing up blood one day. She’d had a bad cough for months before that.

She saw a doctor for a scan, then a biopsy confirmed it was cancer.

“I was confused because I don’t smoke, I’m not overweight, and I live a healthy lifestyle,” says Att, who was 70 at the time of her diagnosis. “I was just trying to find a reason why. Eventually, instead of asking, 'Why me,’ I said, ‘Why not me?’”  

Choosing MD Anderson for lung cancer treatment

Att and her husband, Jim, along with a friend of theirs, began researching the best places for cancer treatment. Everyone decided she should seek treatment at MD Anderson, a little over an hour from their home in Livingston, Texas.

She had her first appointment on Jim’s birthday, Aug. 20.

“We walked into this giant building, and everyone was so helpful. They asked us if we knew where we were going. I said, ‘No, I’m a new patient,’” Att recalls. “Without hesitation, they said, ‘Follow me’ and guided us to where we needed to be.”

Att met her care team, including thoracic/head and neck medical oncologist Lauren Byers, M.D., and thoracic surgeon Mara Antonoff, M.D. She also underwent more tests.

“We liked that MD Anderson started from the beginning,” says Jim. “We’d had a biopsy done in Livingston, but MD Anderson did their own biopsy. They also did a brain MRI and a CT scan.”

Att had a tumor the size of a walnut at the bottom of her right lung. A biopsy of the tumor and lymph nodes showed that the cancer had not spread beyond her lungs.

Based on the test results, her care team developed a treatment plan. Att and Jim appreciated how the doctors explained everything. They were kind, calm and knowledgeable.

“Jim and I hit a brick wall when we found out I had cancer,” says Att. “But once I had a treatment plan, it felt like the doctors opened a door for us, and told me, ‘You’re going to be OK.’”

Enrolling in immunotherapy clinical trial

She enrolled in a clinical trial led by thoracic/head and neck medical oncologist and researcher Tina Cascone, M.D., Ph.D. The clinical trial uses a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery so that the immune system can learn how to recognize the cancer cells before a patient has surgery. This helps the immune system to quickly find and destroy any residual microscopic disease that remains after surgery, reducing the risk for a recurrence. Senior research nurse and clinical trial coordinator Edith Roy helped care for Att throughout this treatment.

Att started with four cycles of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Every three weeks, she would receive the drug combination of oleclumab, durvalumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin at MD Anderson's main campus. By the beginning of her third cycle, the tumor had shrunk by about one-third.

On Jan. 2, 2024, Antonoff performed a lobectomy to remove the lobe where the cancer was located. After surgery, Att would undergo 12 months of immunotherapy with oleclumab and durvalumab. She just completed her fifth cycle.

“The doctors believe they got all of the cancer, so we are thrilled about that,” says Jim.

Support from family helps with treatment side effects

Att had some side effects from treatment, including hair loss, numbness in her feet and dry mouth. Her doctors prescribed a mouthwash to help with the dry mouth and shared some other alternatives. Overall, she says she tolerated chemotherapy pretty well.

“When I began losing my hair, my family had a little gathering at my house to support me. My daughters held my hand as my daughter shaved my head,” says Att, who had long, straight hair before cancer treatment. “My hair has grown back with a curly texture. I love my new hair!”

On the days she felt tired, Jim would feed her while she stayed in bed to make sure she got her nutrients. The numbness in her feet has gone away. She still has a little bit of dry mouth, but it’s gotten a lot better.

“I received so many prayers during treatment,” she says. “It was comforting.”

Raising awareness about lung cancer

After facing a cancer diagnosis, Att now likes sharing her lung cancer story with others in hopes that they will see a doctor if they have symptoms – even subtle ones.

“I learned that lung cancer is common in Asian women, even those who don’t smoke, like myself,” she says. “So, I tell women I meet at the nail salon or anywhere, if you have concerning symptoms, ask your doctor for a test.”

Att recently had a woman thank her for talking to her about lung cancer. Her mom had been coughing, and, based on their conversation, she was taking her to the doctor to get checked out.

“A test saved my life, and it could save yours,” says Att. “I don’t need to save 50 people. If I can save just one person, I’m grateful.”  

Thankful for MD Anderson

Att and Jim now return to MD Anderson once a month. Att receives treatment every month and follow-up scans every other month. So far, she’s gotten good news.

“I cannot say thank you enough to the doctors, nurses and other staff at MD Anderson,” says Att. “They were so helpful and caring. I call them my angels without the wings.”

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.