Retired Truck Driver Chooses Groundbreaking Cancer Care at UH

Brian Weary feared he was given a death sentence when a colonoscopy revealed inoperable colorectal cancer.

Instead, the 69-year-old retired truck driver received the revolutionary immunotherapy Keytruda that effectively erased his cancer.

Approximately 20 percent of colon cancer patients harbor a specific genomic signature known as microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), which makes them especially receptive to immunotherapy. Immunotherapy activates a person’s immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells. Over the course of six treatments, Brian found the world’s most “unbelievable” cancer care team.

After the immunotherapy concluded, they searched extensively to ensure he was clear. The cancer was gone.

“A lot of people don't realize that some colon cancers can be put in complete remission and potentially be cured without surgery or radiation or chemotherapy,” said Sakti Chakrabarti, MD.

Brian went to UH Seidman Cancer Center on main campus every three weeks for a 45-minute infusion. This opportunity, offered by Dr. Chakrabarti, was Brian’s redemption.

“I was really lucky,” reflected Brian. “What a doctor. That man is a saint, as far as I’m concerned. You couldn’t ask for a more caring doctor. He would call just to check on me. He’s just a super guy.”

Brian drives past numerous hospitals on his way to downtown Cleveland from Doylestown in Wayne County. But he would not go anywhere else.

“I will always go to University Hospitals,” Brian said. “I’ve never gone to a hospital where I’ve had the quality of treatment that I’ve had at University Hospitals. Everybody is there for your best interest.”