Merck PD1 – a MIRACLE Drug!
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Merck PD1 – a MIRACLE Drug!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Merck PD1 – a MIRACLE Drug!

  • Post
    • March 18, 2012 at 7:18 pm
    Candi13
    Participant
    Hi,

I am posting my good news to share information on the Merck PD-1 trial.

I started this trial on 12/20/11. After only 3 infusions, I could see 2 subq's on my leg and chest start shrinking.

Last week, I had my first 12 week scans since starting to take this drug. My doctor told me that there was NO CANCER 
anywhere in my body. 

Starting the trial, I had tumors in my leg, on my chest and BOTH lungs. Being stage 4, this is truly a miracle after 
only taking this drug for 12 weeks. My doctor told me, I am a “complete responder”.

I know of 2 other patients who started this trial in December 2011 with me. One patient with lung mets is a complete 
responder. The other patient is a partial responder.

For those interested in this trial, here is the link:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01295827

I know that there are openings for this trial at UCLA Medical Center with Dr. Ribas. His email ARibas@mednet.ucla.edu 

Good Luck to Everyone fighting Mel.

Candi
Viewing 44 reply threads
  • Replies
      • March 18, 2012 at 7:33 pm
      audgator
      Participant

      Although no one is happier than you, I guarantee there are a LOT of happy people reading this, including me. Congrats.

      Dan

      • March 18, 2012 at 7:33 pm
      audgator
      Participant

      Although no one is happier than you, I guarantee there are a LOT of happy people reading this, including me. Congrats.

      Dan

      • March 18, 2012 at 7:33 pm
      audgator
      Participant

      Although no one is happier than you, I guarantee there are a LOT of happy people reading this, including me. Congrats.

      Dan

      • March 18, 2012 at 7:54 pm
      Gene_S
      Participant

      Wow what wonderful news you received.  We are so happy for you.

      NED is one thing my husband keep hoping for also.  He is making progress but is really hoping one day he can add to his profile. NED.

      Sounds to me like it is time for you to celebrate.

      Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV)

      • March 18, 2012 at 7:54 pm
      Gene_S
      Participant

      Wow what wonderful news you received.  We are so happy for you.

      NED is one thing my husband keep hoping for also.  He is making progress but is really hoping one day he can add to his profile. NED.

      Sounds to me like it is time for you to celebrate.

      Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV)

      • March 18, 2012 at 7:54 pm
      Gene_S
      Participant

      Wow what wonderful news you received.  We are so happy for you.

      NED is one thing my husband keep hoping for also.  He is making progress but is really hoping one day he can add to his profile. NED.

      Sounds to me like it is time for you to celebrate.

      Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV)

      • March 18, 2012 at 8:12 pm
      MaryD
      Participant

      Wow – that is fantastic news – so happy for you!    Thanks for sharing this as it will give hope to so many  . .and I wish you continued successful results!

      Mary

      • March 18, 2012 at 8:12 pm
      MaryD
      Participant

      Wow – that is fantastic news – so happy for you!    Thanks for sharing this as it will give hope to so many  . .and I wish you continued successful results!

      Mary

      • March 18, 2012 at 8:12 pm
      MaryD
      Participant

      Wow – that is fantastic news – so happy for you!    Thanks for sharing this as it will give hope to so many  . .and I wish you continued successful results!

      Mary

      • March 18, 2012 at 8:44 pm
      yoopergirl
      Participant

      Such good news, I may be taking part in that PD 1 trial at the UW Madison, will have my scans on the 26th and go from there. You bring so much hope to all of us.

      • March 18, 2012 at 8:44 pm
      yoopergirl
      Participant

      Such good news, I may be taking part in that PD 1 trial at the UW Madison, will have my scans on the 26th and go from there. You bring so much hope to all of us.

      • March 18, 2012 at 8:44 pm
      yoopergirl
      Participant

      Such good news, I may be taking part in that PD 1 trial at the UW Madison, will have my scans on the 26th and go from there. You bring so much hope to all of us.

      • March 18, 2012 at 9:11 pm
      jim Breitfeller
      Participant

      Candi, Congrats!!!

      Could you go though your time-line of therapies and doses with dates. I would like to see how it falls on a theoretical time scale. It is in my post called "Redirecting the Melanoma Tumor’s Microenvironment in Favor of the Activation of T-cells ". The second graphic.

      Thanks in advance

       

      Jimmy B

        • March 18, 2012 at 10:43 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Jimmy,

         

        2009-leukine, 2010-temador, and multiple surgeries

         

        Candi

        • March 18, 2012 at 10:43 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Jimmy,

         

        2009-leukine, 2010-temador, and multiple surgeries

         

        Candi

        • March 18, 2012 at 10:43 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Jimmy,

         

        2009-leukine, 2010-temador, and multiple surgeries

         

        Candi

      • March 18, 2012 at 9:11 pm
      jim Breitfeller
      Participant

      Candi, Congrats!!!

      Could you go though your time-line of therapies and doses with dates. I would like to see how it falls on a theoretical time scale. It is in my post called "Redirecting the Melanoma Tumor’s Microenvironment in Favor of the Activation of T-cells ". The second graphic.

      Thanks in advance

       

      Jimmy B

      • March 18, 2012 at 9:11 pm
      jim Breitfeller
      Participant

      Candi, Congrats!!!

      Could you go though your time-line of therapies and doses with dates. I would like to see how it falls on a theoretical time scale. It is in my post called "Redirecting the Melanoma Tumor’s Microenvironment in Favor of the Activation of T-cells ". The second graphic.

      Thanks in advance

       

      Jimmy B

      • March 18, 2012 at 10:04 pm
      rbruce
      Participant

      AWESOME News!!!!!!!!   I started this trial at UCSF on the 15th of this month and have been dreading having to wait 12 weeks to see if anything is working.  Having a really bad day today yand then I see your posting and turned my day around.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful news and I look forward to reading future posts about your continued great response.  Have you expereinced any side affects?  I had flu like symptoms, achey bones and muscles for a couple days after infusion but that seems to be gone.   Robert

        • March 18, 2012 at 10:47 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Hi Robert,

         

        Do you know if there are any openings a UCSF?? How often do you get infusions???

         

        Good Luck with this trial. I hope you are a complete responder.

         

        BettyJo

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:23 pm
        rbruce
        Participant

        BettyJo,

        No openings right now, but they are trying to get additional seats so I would contact them and get on the list.

        Robert

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:40 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Thanks Robert…how often do you have an infusion? how long is the infusion?  BettyJo

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:57 pm
        rbruce
        Participant

        Infusion only lasts about 30 minutes.  Clinic vist with Dr., blood test before and after then EKG after takes a total of about 2-3 hours at clinic.     Robert

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:59 pm
        killmel
        Participant

        how often are the infusions?

        • March 19, 2012 at 12:06 am
        rbruce
        Participant

        every 2 weeks.

        • March 19, 2012 at 12:06 am
        rbruce
        Participant

        every 2 weeks.

        • March 19, 2012 at 12:06 am
        rbruce
        Participant

        every 2 weeks.

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:59 pm
        killmel
        Participant

        how often are the infusions?

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:59 pm
        killmel
        Participant

        how often are the infusions?

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:57 pm
        rbruce
        Participant

        Infusion only lasts about 30 minutes.  Clinic vist with Dr., blood test before and after then EKG after takes a total of about 2-3 hours at clinic.     Robert

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:57 pm
        rbruce
        Participant

        Infusion only lasts about 30 minutes.  Clinic vist with Dr., blood test before and after then EKG after takes a total of about 2-3 hours at clinic.     Robert

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:40 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Thanks Robert…how often do you have an infusion? how long is the infusion?  BettyJo

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:40 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Thanks Robert…how often do you have an infusion? how long is the infusion?  BettyJo

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:23 pm
        rbruce
        Participant

        BettyJo,

        No openings right now, but they are trying to get additional seats so I would contact them and get on the list.

        Robert

        • March 18, 2012 at 11:23 pm
        rbruce
        Participant

        BettyJo,

        No openings right now, but they are trying to get additional seats so I would contact them and get on the list.

        Robert

        • March 18, 2012 at 10:47 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Hi Robert,

         

        Do you know if there are any openings a UCSF?? How often do you get infusions???

         

        Good Luck with this trial. I hope you are a complete responder.

         

        BettyJo

        • March 18, 2012 at 10:47 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Hi Robert,

         

        Do you know if there are any openings a UCSF?? How often do you get infusions???

         

        Good Luck with this trial. I hope you are a complete responder.

         

        BettyJo

      • March 18, 2012 at 10:04 pm
      rbruce
      Participant

      AWESOME News!!!!!!!!   I started this trial at UCSF on the 15th of this month and have been dreading having to wait 12 weeks to see if anything is working.  Having a really bad day today yand then I see your posting and turned my day around.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful news and I look forward to reading future posts about your continued great response.  Have you expereinced any side affects?  I had flu like symptoms, achey bones and muscles for a couple days after infusion but that seems to be gone.   Robert

      • March 18, 2012 at 10:04 pm
      rbruce
      Participant

      AWESOME News!!!!!!!!   I started this trial at UCSF on the 15th of this month and have been dreading having to wait 12 weeks to see if anything is working.  Having a really bad day today yand then I see your posting and turned my day around.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful news and I look forward to reading future posts about your continued great response.  Have you expereinced any side affects?  I had flu like symptoms, achey bones and muscles for a couple days after infusion but that seems to be gone.   Robert

      • March 18, 2012 at 11:20 pm
      hope4cure1
      Participant

      Terrific, terrific,terrific! Thank you so much for sharing.  I'm raising a glass to your continued NED!!!

      Hope

      • March 18, 2012 at 11:20 pm
      hope4cure1
      Participant

      Terrific, terrific,terrific! Thank you so much for sharing.  I'm raising a glass to your continued NED!!!

      Hope

      • March 18, 2012 at 11:20 pm
      hope4cure1
      Participant

      Terrific, terrific,terrific! Thank you so much for sharing.  I'm raising a glass to your continued NED!!!

      Hope

      • March 19, 2012 at 4:06 am
      melmar
      Participant

      Congratulations!  Thanks for sharing the good news!

      • March 19, 2012 at 4:06 am
      melmar
      Participant

      Congratulations!  Thanks for sharing the good news!

      • March 19, 2012 at 4:06 am
      melmar
      Participant

      Congratulations!  Thanks for sharing the good news!

      • March 19, 2012 at 4:07 am
      melmar
      Participant

      Congratulations!  Thanks for sharing the good news!

      • March 19, 2012 at 4:07 am
      melmar
      Participant

      Congratulations!  Thanks for sharing the good news!

      • March 19, 2012 at 4:07 am
      melmar
      Participant

      Congratulations!  Thanks for sharing the good news!

      • March 19, 2012 at 5:37 pm
      Eileen L
      Participant

      Great news. Thx for posting. Gives all of us Stage 4 folks hope!

      Eileen L

      • March 19, 2012 at 5:37 pm
      Eileen L
      Participant

      Great news. Thx for posting. Gives all of us Stage 4 folks hope!

      Eileen L

      • March 19, 2012 at 5:37 pm
      Eileen L
      Participant

      Great news. Thx for posting. Gives all of us Stage 4 folks hope!

      Eileen L

      • March 21, 2012 at 10:54 am
      MeNDave
      Participant

      Congrats Candi!!  Doing a happy dance for you!  Thanks for posting the good news…. it gives many hope 🙂

      • March 21, 2012 at 10:54 am
      MeNDave
      Participant

      Congrats Candi!!  Doing a happy dance for you!  Thanks for posting the good news…. it gives many hope 🙂

      • March 21, 2012 at 10:54 am
      MeNDave
      Participant

      Congrats Candi!!  Doing a happy dance for you!  Thanks for posting the good news…. it gives many hope 🙂

      • March 23, 2012 at 2:24 pm
      Drew N
      Participant

      Even though I'm not actively fighting C these days, it's amazing to hear about the progress in the last year. Plus, my secretary's MiL just started 3475 yesterday, and we now have positive experiences to think about.

      Drew Nelson

      3b since 1/09

      • March 23, 2012 at 2:24 pm
      Drew N
      Participant

      Even though I'm not actively fighting C these days, it's amazing to hear about the progress in the last year. Plus, my secretary's MiL just started 3475 yesterday, and we now have positive experiences to think about.

      Drew Nelson

      3b since 1/09

      • March 23, 2012 at 2:24 pm
      Drew N
      Participant

      Even though I'm not actively fighting C these days, it's amazing to hear about the progress in the last year. Plus, my secretary's MiL just started 3475 yesterday, and we now have positive experiences to think about.

      Drew Nelson

      3b since 1/09

      • March 23, 2012 at 2:44 pm
      Linny
      Participant

      What wonderful news! I hope you went out and celebrated. smiley

        • March 27, 2012 at 9:56 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Thank you all for the well wishes.

        Update on results from Merck pd1 trial…I was told by my the study nurse today, that there were more patients having a partial response after their 12 weeks scans. Hopeful news for this drug!

        Candi

        • March 27, 2012 at 9:56 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Thank you all for the well wishes.

        Update on results from Merck pd1 trial…I was told by my the study nurse today, that there were more patients having a partial response after their 12 weeks scans. Hopeful news for this drug!

        Candi

        • March 27, 2012 at 9:56 pm
        Candi13
        Participant

        Thank you all for the well wishes.

        Update on results from Merck pd1 trial…I was told by my the study nurse today, that there were more patients having a partial response after their 12 weeks scans. Hopeful news for this drug!

        Candi

      • March 23, 2012 at 2:44 pm
      Linny
      Participant

      What wonderful news! I hope you went out and celebrated. smiley

      • March 23, 2012 at 2:44 pm
      Linny
      Participant

      What wonderful news! I hope you went out and celebrated. smiley

      • May 13, 2013 at 2:31 am
      caseym
      Participant

      Hi everyone,

      I just wanted to see how you are all going on the PD1 trial? My mum is 3rd on the list for the second round of trials in Australia. I want to give her the good news that i have already read about this drug and also any more details that you can provide to me.

      I am so happy to hear that this trial seems to be working and so pleased to hear you are doing well Candi.

      Look forward to hearing from you

      • May 13, 2013 at 2:31 am
      caseym
      Participant

      Hi everyone,

      I just wanted to see how you are all going on the PD1 trial? My mum is 3rd on the list for the second round of trials in Australia. I want to give her the good news that i have already read about this drug and also any more details that you can provide to me.

      I am so happy to hear that this trial seems to be working and so pleased to hear you are doing well Candi.

      Look forward to hearing from you

      • May 13, 2013 at 2:31 am
      caseym
      Participant

      Hi everyone,

      I just wanted to see how you are all going on the PD1 trial? My mum is 3rd on the list for the second round of trials in Australia. I want to give her the good news that i have already read about this drug and also any more details that you can provide to me.

      I am so happy to hear that this trial seems to be working and so pleased to hear you are doing well Candi.

      Look forward to hearing from you

      • August 18, 2014 at 2:47 pm
      melinda2
      Participant

      THANK YOU for your post that just gave me a big, bright spot in my day.  My husband is Stage IV and will start the Merck PD-1 trial at Emory in two weeks.  He completed Yervoy recently and his cancer did not respond to it at all.  For southeast folks, I am aware that the PD-1 trials are being done at Mayo in Jacksonville as well as Emory in Atlanta.  Don't know if Moffet in Tampa has a trial program.

      • August 18, 2014 at 2:47 pm
      melinda2
      Participant

      THANK YOU for your post that just gave me a big, bright spot in my day.  My husband is Stage IV and will start the Merck PD-1 trial at Emory in two weeks.  He completed Yervoy recently and his cancer did not respond to it at all.  For southeast folks, I am aware that the PD-1 trials are being done at Mayo in Jacksonville as well as Emory in Atlanta.  Don't know if Moffet in Tampa has a trial program.

      • August 18, 2014 at 2:47 pm
      melinda2
      Participant

      THANK YOU for your post that just gave me a big, bright spot in my day.  My husband is Stage IV and will start the Merck PD-1 trial at Emory in two weeks.  He completed Yervoy recently and his cancer did not respond to it at all.  For southeast folks, I am aware that the PD-1 trials are being done at Mayo in Jacksonville as well as Emory in Atlanta.  Don't know if Moffet in Tampa has a trial program.

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