Staff Reporter : Kolkata, 1st October 2026: Some moments make every challenge worth overcoming, a smile shared with family, a gathering with loved ones, a new morning, or a dream waiting to be lived. For those navigating cancer, these seemingly simple moments can carry extraordinary meaning. Recognising the courage behind these moments, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre at Manipal Hospital, EM Bypass, brought together cancer warriors who have undergone immunotherapy, whose journeys stand as powerful stories of resilience, hope and the will to keep moving forward. The special gathering, titled ‘Warriors of Life’, was dedicated to celebrating their journeys, recognising the moments that matter and looking ahead to all the possibilities that life holds.
At the heart of the initiative was a simple yet powerful message, a cancer diagnosis may change the course of life, but it does not have to define the life that follows. For many patients, the cancer journey extends far beyond diagnosis and treatment. It encompasses uncertainty, difficult decisions, emotional highs and lows, and the gradual process of rediscovering confidence and normalcy, and empathy above all. The Warriors of Life initiative sought to acknowledge this larger journey, celebrating individuals who continue to find reasons to smile, dream, connect and look ahead after undergoing immunotherapy.
The gathering brought together – Dr. Sudeep Das, HOD & Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology; Dr. Pradip Kumar Mondal, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology; Dr. Tanmay Banerjee, Director-Critical Care Medicine; Dr Debdeep Samaddar, Associate Consultant-Medical Oncology, Retired Prof. (Dr.) Kalyan Bhattacharya. A key highlight of the programme was a panel discussion titled ‘Are We Close to a Cure for Cancer? Is Immunotherapy the Future?’, where the doctors participated alongside the patients, bringing together medical insights and lived experiences around the evolving landscape of cancer treatment and the role of immunotherapy.
The gathering also highlighted the evolving role of immunotherapy in cancer care, an area that has increasingly become an important part of conversations around personalised and comprehensive cancer treatment. Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, for instance, work by blocking signals that can act as ‘brakes’ on immune cells, allowing them to mount a stronger response against cancer. These therapies are now used across several cancer types, and some patients have experienced meaningful and long-lasting responses.
In his address, Dr. Sudeep Das, said, “Immunotherapy has brought a significant shift in the way we think about cancer treatment. Unlike conventional treatments that directly target cancer cells, immunotherapy works by helping the body’s own immune system recognise and respond to cancer. Its growing use in India is also reflective of the progress we are seeing in cancer care, with better understanding of tumour biology, improved access to advanced diagnostics and the availability of newer treatment options. Importantly, immunotherapy is not a universal treatment, and its suitability depends on factors such as the type and stage of cancer, molecular and immune markers, and the individual patient’s clinical profile. For selected patients, however, it can offer meaningful and, in some cases, durable responses, making it an increasingly important part of the cancer treatment conversation.”
Dr. Pradip Kumar Mondal, added, “Cancer treatment in India is evolving rapidly, and immunotherapy has emerged as an important part of this changing landscape. What makes it particularly significant is that it represents a different approach to cancer care, rather than relying only on directly attacking the tumour, we can, in appropriate patients, harness the patient’s own immune response to fight the disease. With increasing awareness, advances in cancer diagnostics and greater access to newer therapies, more patients are now able to explore treatment options that were not widely available earlier. At the same time, it is important to remember that every cancer is different. The decision to use immunotherapy must be individualised and guided by the cancer type, disease characteristics and the evidence available for that patient.”
During the discussion, Dr. Tanmay Banerjee, shared, “Immunotherapy has significantly changed the treatment landscape for certain lung cancers, allowing us to take a more personalised approach to care. By understanding the biology of the tumour and relevant biomarkers, we can identify patients who may benefit from these therapies. As access to advanced diagnostics and newer treatments improves in India, immunotherapy is becoming an increasingly important option for appropriately selected patients, while careful monitoring remains essential.”
Sharing his insights, Dr Debdeep Samaddar said, “Chemotherapy has been a mainstay of cancer treatment for decades, but its impact on healthy cells can lead to significant side effects. Immunotherapy has emerged as a game changer over the past 10–15 years by harnessing the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells, often with a more manageable side-effect profile. With growing domestic production of biosimilars, these advanced therapies could become more affordable and accessible to a wider population.”
During the programme, Sourav Matiya, 60, a cancer survivor from Kharagpur, shared his experience, saying, “After being diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, I wanted to begin treatment without losing valuable time. I initially approached a leading cancer treatment facility in Mumbai, but the long waiting period was a concern. I was then referred to Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, where my treatment could begin immediately. I underwent treatment combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy, along with regular check-ups and monitoring. Today, I am able to lead a normal life—I go grocery shopping, ride my motorcycle and even enjoy family trips to the mountains. Being able to do these everyday things again means a lot to me.”
Garfield Jude Pembro, 40, a cancer survivor currently undergoing immunotherapy, shared, “My experience with the doctors and my ongoing treatment has been very positive. I have been able to continue with my everyday life while undergoing treatment, without experiencing significant side effects. I am due to complete my treatment cycle in March next year, and I remain hopeful and focused on moving forward with my life.”
The gathering reinforced the importance of looking beyond diagnosis and treatment to recognise survivorship, emotional well-being, family support and the everyday moments that give life meaning. ‘Warriors of Life’ was ultimately a celebration of the individuals who have undergone immunotherapy and continue to live, dream, connect and move forward reaffirming that while cancer may change the course of life, there can still be many meaningful chapters ahead.
Because the journey with cancer may be challenging, but life continues to hold possibilities.
About Manipal Hospital EM Bypass
Manipal Hospitals is one of India’s leading integrated healthcare providers serving ~ 8 million patients annually, focussed on providing accessible, high-quality healthcare services. Manipal’s integrated network today has a pan-India footprint of 50 hospitals with over 13,400 licensed beds across 14 States & Union Territories. The network is India’s largest multispecialty hospital network by bed capacity, supported by a talented pool of 11,000+ doctors and an employee strength of over 25,000. With a commitment to provide patient-centric care, Manipal Hospitals combines clinical expertise with advanced technology, research and innovation to serve a multitude of patients across the globe. Its continued focus on clinical quality and operational excellence is reflected in its NABH accreditation, with several of its hospitals also accredited by NABL and recognised for its excellence in nursing and emergency care.
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