An ‘Unheard Of’ Remission From Ovarian Cancer

At Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, experts are making cancer treatment personal. They are studying each patient’s tumor cells and designing treatments that neutralize them, while boosting tumor-fighting T cells with immunotherapy. This “personalized immunotherapy” is all founded on the latest science, the newest clinical trials and pharmaceutical research.

“It is becoming clearer that it is difficult to find a single cure for resistant cancers, such as advanced gynecologic cancers,” says Suresh Nair, MD, Physician in Chief at the Cancer Institute. “They are all so different, and we need to do research almost on an individual cancer-patient level.”

Bethlehem resident Kathleen Lippert is a fortunate example of personalized treatment. In December 2014 when she was 70, Lippert and her husband Joseph were in South Carolina on vacation. She noticed her stomach was bigger than normal (and she was unable to go to the bathroom). She saw her gynecologist as soon as she got home, and a vaginal ultrasound showed a “growth.”

In a matter of a few days, she got an appointment with M. Bijoy Thomas, MD, Chief, Division of Gynecologic Oncology with Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. She had surgery to remove the growth in December. Testing showed Lippert had stage 3 ovarian cancer.

“Surgery for ovarian cancer typically involves a total hysterectomy with removal of both the ovaries and fallopian tubes,” Dr. Thomas says. “In addition, if there is any spread of cancer in the abdomen or pelvis, that is removed. The goal is to have no visible disease at the end of surgery.”

“Initial surgery followed by chemotherapy usually is effective in causing remission,” Dr. Thomas continues. “But unfortunately, ovarian cancer does have a high chance of recurrence.”

While she became primary caregiver for Joseph who was also very ill, Kathleen had multiple cancer recurrences. One was in 2017. Her husband passed in 2018, and then she had another recurrence in 2019.

“In Kathleen’s case, there was an aggressive mutation called kras G12c, which is seen in only 1 percent of ovarian cancers,” Dr. Nair says, explaining that chemotherapy treatment kept tenuous control of the disease for several years. Later, as her tolerance to treatment declined, she was treated with an immunotherapy drug in hopes of resetting her resistance to treatment. “After a long eight-year journey, Kathleen was running out of options,” he says.

At this point, after a year’s search, the Cancer Institute team was able to procure a new FDA-approved drug that targets certain mutations. Lippert started taking a 25 percent dose (due to low kidney function) in January 2023. “Her CA 125 tumor marker was 1,120 at the start and normalized to 19 by April 2023. Kathleen has continued to get healthier and has remained in full remission for two years and eight months,” Dr. Nair says.

Lippert’s remission is a clinical miracle, since the chances of surviving even five years with late-stage ovarian cancer is about 30 percent. She says her faith never wavered and is thankful for prayers from her family and friends. Her cousin Rosalie offered constant support, standing by her through her entire ordeal. And Lippert certainly doesn’t take for granted the groundbreaking care she received at the Cancer Institute and LVHN. 

“I had a wonderful experience at LVHN,” she says. “The doctors and staff always explained everything and put me at ease. I trusted them completely.” She adds that the staff in radiology were extremely helpful, especially easing her claustrophobia during MRIs.   

Lippert, now on medication for a heart issue, is picking up her favorite adventure books again and has added a new topic to read about: using the power of your mind for healing. She enjoys crocheting and is once again making afghans for nursing-home and hospital residents. Since she “loves doing things for others,” she also bakes.

“Considering I’ve been a patient at the Cancer Institute for 10 years, it’s like old home week when I go there,” says Lippert. “I usually take the staff baked goods – and they love them.”