How Immunotherapy Helped a Veteran Survive Mesothelioma

After witnessing her father’s health rapidly decline for more than a year following a mesothelioma diagnosis, a determined daughter steps in to help him find life-changing medical care

Karen D’Alessandro faced her worst nightmare in 2021 when her father, Gene V. D’Alessandro, was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that develops in the abdominal lining after asbestos exposure.

At first, the U.S. Army veteran believed his immense discomfort was caused by gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis that leads to joint swelling and tenderness. But a surprising diagnosis changed everything for the D’Alessandro family.

Below, Karen shares her story with Mesothelioma Hope — from the shocking diagnosis to the struggle to find effective medical care, and how immunotherapy ended up being the answer she and Gene were looking for.

Searching for Better Answers

From the start, Karen was dedicated to her father’s health and did everything she could to understand his diagnosis and pursue medical support for his cancer and quality of life.

Over the year and a half after his mesothelioma diagnosis, Gene experienced ongoing bloating, fluid buildup, and dramatic weight loss.

To manage these symptoms, he was meeting regularly with his local oncologist — whose only suggested solution, despite Karen’s long list of research-based questions and concerns, was chemotherapy.

“My father is not the type of person to cause problems or pursue confrontations with anyone. But I am the opposite. If I see a problem, I tackle it head-on. That’s why I started fighting on his behalf from the beginning of his diagnosis.”

– Karen D’Alessandro, daughter of peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Gene

When she asked about any special dietary restrictions or recommendations, Karen was told her father could eat whatever he wanted because nothing has been scientifically proven in this regard one way or the other.

Karen was left surprised by this reaction. Feeling dismissed and wary, she could sense that this doctor wasn’t professionally or ethically invested in saving her father’s life as her family had hoped.

“Only seeing a local oncologist for a long time was a mistake,” said Karen, who is far from alone in this experience. Many families have never even heard of this cancer when their loved one is first diagnosed, and have no idea they should see a mesothelioma specialist rather than a general oncologist.

Karen is now a vocal advocate for families to work with a mesothelioma specialist early. Get more insights from her and other loved ones of mesothelioma survivors on treatment, improving prognosis, and more in our Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.

Discovering the Game-Changing Power of Immunotherapy

“My dad’s health kept getting worse. We thought he was going to die within the next 6 months,” Karen said. “That’s when I started looking around for a doctor who focuses primarily on mesothelioma.”

Locating the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey in nearby New Brunswick offered the family a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation.

There they met with Dr. H. Richard Alexander, an internationally recognized surgical oncologist with extensive experience treating peritoneal mesothelioma.

“It’s crucial to see a mesothelioma specialist,” Karen said. “No one else will know how to help you properly or effectively. Your regular doctor might say you have 6 months to live, but a specialist will have more accurate information.”

During their meeting with Dr. Alexander, the family discovered that in addition to chemotherapy, Gene was eligible for immunotherapy — a key treatment no one had ever mentioned before.

“Dr. Alexander gave us hope by prescribing cancer medications,” Karen said. “I didn’t realize there are drugs that can act as life-savers for mesothelioma patients.”

Within a week, Karen’s father started his new regimen of nivolumab (Opdivo®), a medication that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.

“Everything got better with this medication. Dr. Alexander saved my father’s life. I wish we had accessed this level of expertise from the start so my family wouldn’t have been so distressed and depressed, thinking my father was going to die soon.”

– Karen D’Alessandro, daughter of peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Gene

Fighting Together: The Power of Advocacy and Legal Aid

Karen’s involvement in her father’s mesothelioma treatment is a shining example of the importance of patient advocacy. Without her dedication and resolve, her father might not still be alive today.

In addition to finding him a mesothelioma specialist, Karen also encouraged her father to seek legal help. In 2022, Gene’s attorneys successfully filed asbestos trust fund claims against the manufacturers of the asbestos-based products that caused his cancer.

“You must go to a reputable law firm. If your loved one is a veteran, make sure the law firm has a lawyer who specializes in dealing with veterans’ cases.”

Karen and her father worked with Simmons Hanly Conroy, a veteran-founded mesothelioma law firm that’s secured over $11 billion for victims of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma Hope partners with Simmons Hanly Conroy to help patients and their families access experienced, compassionate legal help. Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review to learn how to pursue compensation for treatment.

Finding Strength in Connection

To promote her own emotional healing, Karen has joined several mesothelioma support groups on social media, where she has connected with other families going through similar experiences. She also reads self-help books to gain a better understanding of her situation.

With a new outlook on her father’s future, Karen finds comfort in knowing she did everything she could to help him at a time when he was the most vulnerable.

“My father is still a blast to hang out with, and he loves to have fun,” she says. “He always tells us that he is going to outlive us all.”