How Immunotherapy and a Childhood Love of Cycling Fueled One Man’s Triumph Over Terminal Prognosis

When 55-year-old cyclist and Cheyenne native, Trent S., took an awkward fall on the tennis court in early 2018, he had no idea it would uncover a far more critical issue: stage IV colon cancer. A subsequent biopsy revealed malignant cells in his lymph nodes, and doctors advised he likely had only 18 to 30 months to live. Initially shocked and angry, Trent decided to pursue care at UCHealth Cancer Care – Anschutz Medical Campus, close to his Colorado home.

Genetic testing soon revealed that Trent had Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that inactivates key genes responsible for repairing DNA and significantly raises the risk of colon cancer. Fortunately, a new immunotherapy option called pembrolizumab (Keytruda) had recently been FDA-approved for patients with such “mismatch repair” defects. Trent responded well, but further scans revealed a tumor in his duodenum. Switching to a two-drug immunotherapy regimen (ipilumumab and nivolumab) allowed enough tumor shrinkage to make surgery possible.

In 2019, UCHealth surgical oncologist Dr. Steven Ahrendt performed a Whipple procedure, removing parts of Trent’s colon, duodenum, pancreas, and other tissues to eliminate visible cancer. The complex surgery resolved his cancer, but left him with digestive challenges that caused severe weight loss. By early 2020, Trent was on a feeding tube, housebound, and struggling both physically and emotionally.

A spark of hope reignited when Trent watched a Lance Armstrong documentary and saw images of the cyclist conquering cancer. Determined to reclaim his strength, Trent began training on a stationary bike, gradually progressing to neighborhood rides. By April 2021, he was cycling in Grand Junction and Las Vegas, ultimately logging 6,000 miles that year. Now cancer-free, Trent is back to work, finding joy in life’s everyday moments—like attending his son’s wedding—and sharing his story to inspire others facing a daunting diagnosis.