MICHAEL HUMPHRIES
Three occurrences of mantle cell lymphoma and two clinical trials didn ’ t slow down
Michael Humphries .
Despite battling lymphoma for over 20 years , he rarely missed a day of work on his job as a machinist with Multimetco Inc . in Anniston . In fact , he didn ’ t fully retire until four years ago , at the age of 84 .
Three occurrences of mantle cell lymphoma and two clinical trials didn ’ t slow down Michael Humphries . Despite battling lymphoma for over 20 years , he rarely missed a day of work on his job as a machinist with Multimetco Inc . in Anniston . In fact , he didn ’ t fully retire until four years ago , at the age of 84 .
“ I ’ ve really led a normal life ,” Humphries said . “ I took a day or two off here or there for the clinical trials , but other than that I kept working .”
Humphries originally was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma following a routine colonoscopy in 2002 . He went through standard chemotherapy treatment , and the cancer went into remission . When it returned in his cheek in 2008 , he entered his first clinical trial . The trial involved two treatments each month , and he went into remission again after eight months . He remained cancer-free for more than a decade before it returned in 2020 , this time in his throat .
“ When a cancer comes back , especially an aggressive cancer like this , your treatment options get limited , particularly in that age group ,” said Amitkumar Mehta , M . D ., medical director for the Clinical Trials Office at the O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center , director of the Lymphoma Program and the physician who treated Humphries . “ You really have to pick the treatment very carefully , because as you get older , the chances of side effects get very high – especially with chemotherapy .”
Dr . Mehta encouraged Humphries to enroll in a second clinical trial , this one involving targeted therapy and next-generation immunotherapy . Now nearly a year ago , Humphries went into remission for the third time in two decades .
“ Essentially , this immunotherapy engages your immune system more in fighting the cancer ,” Dr . Mehta said . “ In addition to the positive response , he ’ s had minimal to no side effects with the treatment . That is an important part of this immunotherapy . The side effects are not like with aggressive chemotherapy , and you can still have a quality of life . At this age , quality of life is the most important factor in decision-making about cancer treatment .”
Dr . Mehta says Humphries maintained a positive attitude throughout his treatment , in part by staying informed about clinical trials and approaching them with confidence rather than concern .
“ He wanted all the information so he could make the best decision ,” Dr . Mehta said . “ He saw that there was potential for his cancer to respond to this treatment , so he went into it with optimism . He has been great . He asks all the right questions . He ’ s involved in his care . And the most important part , he was still working until recently . Even at his age , he kept working while in treatment . That helps give you a positive attitude overall .”
Humphries says his positive experience with UAB Medicine and the O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center helped him maintain that optimism .
“ Dr . Mehta and the nurses who gave me the treatment have all been very good ,” Humphries said . “ I have no complaints about UAB at all . They ’ ve given me a normal life .” ❚■
LEFT : Amitkumar Mehta , M . D ., and Michael Humphries ABOVE : Humphries with his daughter
36 | O ’ NEAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER