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Emerging New Therapies

Traditional chemotherapy agents in development — many clinical trials are examining the usefulness of new drugs in development or new combinations of traditional drugs. See the Clinical Trials section for more information.

Immunotherapy — treats cancer by helping the body’s own immune system fight the disease

Photodynamic therapy — kills cancer cells by using the energy of light. This type of therapy may also be effective when used with surgery.

Gene therapy — promising potential therapy that treats cancer by correcting the genetic defects that allows a cancer tumor to develop. In addition, local control of the tumor with gene therapy may provide significant relief of symptoms. A number of gene therapy trials have begun or are in the planning stage.