A Real Research of Interferon / Roferon Side Effects. Arghhh!

It sounds as though you were lucky and your melanoma was discovered fairly early (stage II). That's great news. I assume that you chose to take interferon in an attempt to reduce the chances of a recurrance. I sure hope it works for you. Only time will tell.

However, I see no point in soliciting horror stories about interferon (or any other melanoma treatment, for that matter). Interferon has been around for more than 20 years. Interferon is known to have some pretty miserble side effects, but not everybody gets every side effect or experiences the same level of discomfort. Like all types of chemotherapy, different people experience different side effects. The important point is that nobody takes interferon unless they have to or, in a case like yours, because they want to do everything they possibly can to prevent a recurrance. 

If the patient knows that there could be some nasty but non-fatal side effects but there are no other treatment options available, why scare or discourage them with a detailed description of "liquid hell"? What choice to they have? Let the melanoma run rampant? And as difficult as you say your treatment was, you did not stop taking the interferon, did you? You could have stopped at any time. So you must have thought that the trade-off was worth it. Most people who take interferon agree with you.

One of the best things about the new melanoma treatments that have been approved recently or that are now in clinical trials is that they have fewer side effects and work better than does interferon. Hopefully, one of these days we will have a treatment that provides a complete and affordable cure for everyone. But until then, interferon remains a valid choice in some situations. You had a rough time; I am sorry you had to go through that. But you're still here, alive and kicking and you will probably remain melanoma-free for the rest of your life. I think you will be a happier person if  you concentrate on your good fortune. 

It sounds as though you were lucky and your melanoma was discovered fairly early (stage II). That's great news. I assume that you chose to take interferon in an attempt to reduce the chances of a recurrance. I sure hope it works for you. Only time will tell.

However, I see no point in soliciting horror stories about interferon (or any other melanoma treatment, for that matter). Interferon has been around for more than 20 years. Interferon is known to have some pretty miserble side effects, but not everybody gets every side effect or experiences the same level of discomfort. Like all types of chemotherapy, different people experience different side effects. The important point is that nobody takes interferon unless they have to or, in a case like yours, because they want to do everything they possibly can to prevent a recurrance. 

If the patient knows that there could be some nasty but non-fatal side effects but there are no other treatment options available, why scare or discourage them with a detailed description of "liquid hell"? What choice to they have? Let the melanoma run rampant? And as difficult as you say your treatment was, you did not stop taking the interferon, did you? You could have stopped at any time. So you must have thought that the trade-off was worth it. Most people who take interferon agree with you.

One of the best things about the new melanoma treatments that have been approved recently or that are now in clinical trials is that they have fewer side effects and work better than does interferon. Hopefully, one of these days we will have a treatment that provides a complete and affordable cure for everyone. But until then, interferon remains a valid choice in some situations. You had a rough time; I am sorry you had to go through that. But you're still here, alive and kicking and you will probably remain melanoma-free for the rest of your life. I think you will be a happier person if  you concentrate on your good fortune. 

It sounds as though you were lucky and your melanoma was discovered fairly early (stage II). That's great news. I assume that you chose to take interferon in an attempt to reduce the chances of a recurrance. I sure hope it works for you. Only time will tell.

However, I see no point in soliciting horror stories about interferon (or any other melanoma treatment, for that matter). Interferon has been around for more than 20 years. Interferon is known to have some pretty miserble side effects, but not everybody gets every side effect or experiences the same level of discomfort. Like all types of chemotherapy, different people experience different side effects. The important point is that nobody takes interferon unless they have to or, in a case like yours, because they want to do everything they possibly can to prevent a recurrance. 

If the patient knows that there could be some nasty but non-fatal side effects but there are no other treatment options available, why scare or discourage them with a detailed description of "liquid hell"? What choice to they have? Let the melanoma run rampant? And as difficult as you say your treatment was, you did not stop taking the interferon, did you? You could have stopped at any time. So you must have thought that the trade-off was worth it. Most people who take interferon agree with you.

One of the best things about the new melanoma treatments that have been approved recently or that are now in clinical trials is that they have fewer side effects and work better than does interferon. Hopefully, one of these days we will have a treatment that provides a complete and affordable cure for everyone. But until then, interferon remains a valid choice in some situations. You had a rough time; I am sorry you had to go through that. But you're still here, alive and kicking and you will probably remain melanoma-free for the rest of your life. I think you will be a happier person if  you concentrate on your good fortune. 

Claude, I can see that your heart is in the right place. And it sure would be nice to have a list of all the side effects and all the recommended ways to treat them all in one place. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

Different people have different side effects. A treatment that helps one person may not help another. And, most importantly, some things that can be used to treat one person's side effects might interfere with another person's melanoma treatment or, even worse, create an adverse reaction. So, as always with melanoma, things must be handled on a case-to-case basis.

I think the best thing for you to do is to advise patients suffering from side effects to post a message on this forum and/or on the Melamona International Foundation forum asking how other patients handled their specific side-effect. Then go to their oncologist with the suggestions and see what is most appropriate for that patient at that time. We often get specific questions like that on this forum and fellow patients have made very helpful recommendations for everything from ipi rashes to constipation to autoimmune reactions. 

If you read these forums as often as possible and share the benefit of your personal experience with interferon side effects, that would be a very kind and humane thing to do.

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Claude

You may find this thread helpful….

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/low-dose-interferon-howd-you-get-through-it

Best,

Lana

Ugh!  Sorry for all these duplicates….it appeared that none of them were taking!

Here are the conclusions from some REAL RESearch by Paul Chapman at Sloan Kettering on interferon:

The two randomized trials, in which a total of 713 patients received either adjuvant HD IFN or observation, both showed similar results [1, 2]. To be eligible for these trials, melanoma patients had to have had either deep primaries (>4 mm) or regional lymph node involvement. They were started on the trials within 70 days after complete surgical excision. With follow-up now complete in the first trial (median of 12.6 years of follow-up of survivors) and a median follow-up of 6.6 years in the second trial, neither showed an overall survival benefit associated with adjuvant HD IFN treatment. This is reflected in the pooled analysis of these two studies, which was recently published [3]. This pooled analysis showed that the survival curves were virtually superimposable (p = .42). Both treatment arms show an approximately 50% survival rate at 5 years, and there was no effect on the "tail of the survival curve," meaning that HD IFN did not increase the chance of cure. On the other hand, HD IFN was associated with longer recurrence-free survival in both trials. However, in the pooled analysis [3], the median time to relapse was longer in the HD IFN group by less than 1 year.

What does all this mean to the patient? It means that, among patients destined to recur, a year’s worth of HD IFN treatment can delay the time of recurrence in a small subset, although for half of these patients this delay will be less than 1 year. However, the overall chance of recurrence and the overall survival is not improved. This means that, if the patient is destined to relapse and die of melanoma, HD IFN does not affect this nor does it significantly delay the time of death.

HD IFN is associated with toxicities that result in decreased performance status in virtually all patients. In the most recent HD IFN trials, severe toxicities (grade 3–4) were frequently reported for fatigue, myalgias, and hepatotoxicity (Table 1). Although toxicities such as fatigue, fever, and flu-like symptoms are universal, they are under-reported in publications since generally only grade 3 or worse toxicities are reported. Depression appears to be very common, occurring in 40% of patients if patients are assessed carefully [4]. Patients reporting a depressed mood or insomnia before starting HD IFN have been shown to be at a higher risk for worsening of depression during treatment, particularly if they also have low levels of social support [5]. In some patients, serious cardiac, hepatic, and bone marrow toxicities are also seen, and because of the need to screen for and manage these toxicities, frequent follow-up and blood tests are necessary in patients on HD IFN. This represents both a financial cost as well as a further cost in quality of life (QoL).

Here are the conclusions from some REAL RESearch by Paul Chapman at Sloan Kettering on interferon:

The two randomized trials, in which a total of 713 patients received either adjuvant HD IFN or observation, both showed similar results [1, 2]. To be eligible for these trials, melanoma patients had to have had either deep primaries (>4 mm) or regional lymph node involvement. They were started on the trials within 70 days after complete surgical excision. With follow-up now complete in the first trial (median of 12.6 years of follow-up of survivors) and a median follow-up of 6.6 years in the second trial, neither showed an overall survival benefit associated with adjuvant HD IFN treatment. This is reflected in the pooled analysis of these two studies, which was recently published [3]. This pooled analysis showed that the survival curves were virtually superimposable (p = .42). Both treatment arms show an approximately 50% survival rate at 5 years, and there was no effect on the "tail of the survival curve," meaning that HD IFN did not increase the chance of cure. On the other hand, HD IFN was associated with longer recurrence-free survival in both trials. However, in the pooled analysis [3], the median time to relapse was longer in the HD IFN group by less than 1 year.

What does all this mean to the patient? It means that, among patients destined to recur, a year’s worth of HD IFN treatment can delay the time of recurrence in a small subset, although for half of these patients this delay will be less than 1 year. However, the overall chance of recurrence and the overall survival is not improved. This means that, if the patient is destined to relapse and die of melanoma, HD IFN does not affect this nor does it significantly delay the time of death.

HD IFN is associated with toxicities that result in decreased performance status in virtually all patients. In the most recent HD IFN trials, severe toxicities (grade 3–4) were frequently reported for fatigue, myalgias, and hepatotoxicity (Table 1). Although toxicities such as fatigue, fever, and flu-like symptoms are universal, they are under-reported in publications since generally only grade 3 or worse toxicities are reported. Depression appears to be very common, occurring in 40% of patients if patients are assessed carefully [4]. Patients reporting a depressed mood or insomnia before starting HD IFN have been shown to be at a higher risk for worsening of depression during treatment, particularly if they also have low levels of social support [5]. In some patients, serious cardiac, hepatic, and bone marrow toxicities are also seen, and because of the need to screen for and manage these toxicities, frequent follow-up and blood tests are necessary in patients on HD IFN. This represents both a financial cost as well as a further cost in quality of life (QoL).

Here are the conclusions from some REAL RESearch by Paul Chapman at Sloan Kettering on interferon:

The two randomized trials, in which a total of 713 patients received either adjuvant HD IFN or observation, both showed similar results [1, 2]. To be eligible for these trials, melanoma patients had to have had either deep primaries (>4 mm) or regional lymph node involvement. They were started on the trials within 70 days after complete surgical excision. With follow-up now complete in the first trial (median of 12.6 years of follow-up of survivors) and a median follow-up of 6.6 years in the second trial, neither showed an overall survival benefit associated with adjuvant HD IFN treatment. This is reflected in the pooled analysis of these two studies, which was recently published [3]. This pooled analysis showed that the survival curves were virtually superimposable (p = .42). Both treatment arms show an approximately 50% survival rate at 5 years, and there was no effect on the "tail of the survival curve," meaning that HD IFN did not increase the chance of cure. On the other hand, HD IFN was associated with longer recurrence-free survival in both trials. However, in the pooled analysis [3], the median time to relapse was longer in the HD IFN group by less than 1 year.

What does all this mean to the patient? It means that, among patients destined to recur, a year’s worth of HD IFN treatment can delay the time of recurrence in a small subset, although for half of these patients this delay will be less than 1 year. However, the overall chance of recurrence and the overall survival is not improved. This means that, if the patient is destined to relapse and die of melanoma, HD IFN does not affect this nor does it significantly delay the time of death.

HD IFN is associated with toxicities that result in decreased performance status in virtually all patients. In the most recent HD IFN trials, severe toxicities (grade 3–4) were frequently reported for fatigue, myalgias, and hepatotoxicity (Table 1). Although toxicities such as fatigue, fever, and flu-like symptoms are universal, they are under-reported in publications since generally only grade 3 or worse toxicities are reported. Depression appears to be very common, occurring in 40% of patients if patients are assessed carefully [4]. Patients reporting a depressed mood or insomnia before starting HD IFN have been shown to be at a higher risk for worsening of depression during treatment, particularly if they also have low levels of social support [5]. In some patients, serious cardiac, hepatic, and bone marrow toxicities are also seen, and because of the need to screen for and manage these toxicities, frequent follow-up and blood tests are necessary in patients on HD IFN. This represents both a financial cost as well as a further cost in quality of life (QoL).

Dear Claude (and POW),

I hesitate to say "welcome"…but, hope you can find some usefulness in this forum.  As a person having dealt with melanoma (currently Stage IV, NED) for the past TEN years, all I can say is….I am sorry…that you have joined our ranks.  I would NEVER tell you that your are LUCKY (as POW did) to only be Stage II.  IT SUCKS!!!  No other way around it!  On the other hand….as a person who has never utilized interferon…in any of its forms…I say:  You can call it any damn thing you like!!  Liquid poison, or any other beautiful high falutin nombre!!!  I have found few who have actually partaken, who would argue with that categorization!  Anonymous has it right, there is scant scientific evidence that interferon will have much effect to prevent progression…though, there are plenty on this board who have life experience to prove otherwise.  Additionally, while I will never consider anyone diagnosed with any stage of melanoma LUCKY, you have caught things early, and that is a source of HOPE.  An undervalued therapy.  But, one I hold to. Stay vigilent.  Keep an eye on clinical trials, as things are evolving rapidly.  Find a melanoma specialist.   Say whatever you like.  Search for the answers you seek.  I wish you well.  Celeste

What Celeste (Bubbles) didn't read in the research posted is that if you are going to have a recur you will whether or not you take interferon.  Cases that didn't aren't because of the interferon but because the person wasn't going to have progression anyway.  And the major thing to take away from Dr. Chapman is overall survival doesn't increase with interferon.  So until these new drugs get into stage 3 treatment we're stuck!  The longterm side effects can be bad and permanent and don't forget the depression you may get too.  The hope is for change soon!

Actually, Cooper. I have read the report noted…and many others.  I researched very carefully whether or not I wanted to take interferon when I was first diagnosed with melanoma 10 years ago and at various points since.  While it is most unlikely that interferon does much to prevent disease progression in melanoma….we simultaneously can not definitively say…in those who take it but do NOT progress….that it played NO role….however, small that may be.  And, yes….we can report that over many studies…and years…and lives….overall survival of melanoma is NOT improved by interferon.  (Although there is a recent meta-analysis out a few months ago that showed a very small statistically significant….though clinically NOT…result that interferon, DID, lengthen life….just to keep things confusing!)  But, the ultimate point you made is correct.  Interferon does little.  Has horrid side effects. (Things I noted in my prior comment.) And even worse, we have little or nothing available to patients who are anything less than Stage IV, and even then usually WITH disease.  As a Stage IV, NED patient I was lucky enough to get into an arm of the BMS anti-PD1 (now Nivolumab) trial at Moffitt more than 2 1/2 years ago.  At one point they DID open slots to patients with Stage III disease.  Given my luck and experience, as well as the continuing good results coming out of my study, my arm in particular…I am a firm advocate for treatments like ipi and anti-PD1 (from BMS and Merck) becoming available for patients BEFORE they have advanced to Stage IV.  It just makes sense.  My full story and a great deal of research related to all of this is on my blog.  I continue to work for these treatment options to be available for more patients.  I think if we ALL push our medical centers, researchers, physicians….we have a chance.  Sooner….rather than later.   Yours, c

So sorry you did not want to know the scientific reality behind the treatment you are taking.  There are stage III therapies in trial, be sure to look at Clinical Trials for other options.  http://www.clinicaltrials.gov

The labor of treating side effects could possibly be avoided.  And keeping a healthy immune system rather than knocking it down with this toxic drug can be an agressive treatment.

Claude, I can see that your heart is in the right place. And it sure would be nice to have a list of all the side effects and all the recommended ways to treat them all in one place. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

Different people have different side effects. A treatment that helps one person may not help another. And, most importantly, some things that can be used to treat one person's side effects might interfere with another person's melanoma treatment or, even worse, create an adverse reaction. So, as always with melanoma, things must be handled on a case-to-case basis.

I think the best thing for you to do is to advise patients suffering from side effects to post a message on this forum and/or on the Melamona International Foundation forum asking how other patients handled their specific side-effect. Then go to their oncologist with the suggestions and see what is most appropriate for that patient at that time. We often get specific questions like that on this forum and fellow patients have made very helpful recommendations for everything from ipi rashes to constipation to autoimmune reactions. 

If you read these forums as often as possible and share the benefit of your personal experience with interferon side effects, that would be a very kind and humane thing to do.

Claude, I can see that your heart is in the right place. And it sure would be nice to have a list of all the side effects and all the recommended ways to treat them all in one place. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.

Different people have different side effects. A treatment that helps one person may not help another. And, most importantly, some things that can be used to treat one person's side effects might interfere with another person's melanoma treatment or, even worse, create an adverse reaction. So, as always with melanoma, things must be handled on a case-to-case basis.

I think the best thing for you to do is to advise patients suffering from side effects to post a message on this forum and/or on the Melamona International Foundation forum asking how other patients handled their specific side-effect. Then go to their oncologist with the suggestions and see what is most appropriate for that patient at that time. We often get specific questions like that on this forum and fellow patients have made very helpful recommendations for everything from ipi rashes to constipation to autoimmune reactions. 

If you read these forums as often as possible and share the benefit of your personal experience with interferon side effects, that would be a very kind and humane thing to do.

Ugh!  Sorry for all these duplicates….it appeared that none of them were taking!

Ugh!  Sorry for all these duplicates….it appeared that none of them were taking!

Dear Claude (and POW),

I hesitate to say "welcome"…but, hope you can find some usefulness in this forum.  As a person having dealt with melanoma (currently Stage IV, NED) for the past TEN years, all I can say is….I am sorry…that you have joined our ranks.  I would NEVER tell you that your are LUCKY (as POW did) to only be Stage II.  IT SUCKS!!!  No other way around it!  On the other hand….as a person who has never utilized interferon…in any of its forms…I say:  You can call it any damn thing you like!!  Liquid poison, or any other beautiful high falutin nombre!!!  I have found few who have actually partaken, who would argue with that categorization!  Anonymous has it right, there is scant scientific evidence that interferon will have much effect to prevent progression…though, there are plenty on this board who have life experience to prove otherwise.  Additionally, while I will never consider anyone diagnosed with any stage of melanoma LUCKY, you have caught things early, and that is a source of HOPE.  An undervalued therapy.  But, one I hold to. Stay vigilent.  Keep an eye on clinical trials, as things are evolving rapidly.  Find a melanoma specialist.   Say whatever you like.  Search for the answers you seek.  I wish you well.  Celeste

Dear Claude (and POW),

I hesitate to say "welcome"…but, hope you can find some usefulness in this forum.  As a person having dealt with melanoma (currently Stage IV, NED) for the past TEN years, all I can say is….I am sorry…that you have joined our ranks.  I would NEVER tell you that your are LUCKY (as POW did) to only be Stage II.  IT SUCKS!!!  No other way around it!  On the other hand….as a person who has never utilized interferon…in any of its forms…I say:  You can call it any damn thing you like!!  Liquid poison, or any other beautiful high falutin nombre!!!  I have found few who have actually partaken, who would argue with that categorization!  Anonymous has it right, there is scant scientific evidence that interferon will have much effect to prevent progression…though, there are plenty on this board who have life experience to prove otherwise.  Additionally, while I will never consider anyone diagnosed with any stage of melanoma LUCKY, you have caught things early, and that is a source of HOPE.  An undervalued therapy.  But, one I hold to. Stay vigilent.  Keep an eye on clinical trials, as things are evolving rapidly.  Find a melanoma specialist.   Say whatever you like.  Search for the answers you seek.  I wish you well.  Celeste

What Celeste (Bubbles) didn't read in the research posted is that if you are going to have a recur you will whether or not you take interferon.  Cases that didn't aren't because of the interferon but because the person wasn't going to have progression anyway.  And the major thing to take away from Dr. Chapman is overall survival doesn't increase with interferon.  So until these new drugs get into stage 3 treatment we're stuck!  The longterm side effects can be bad and permanent and don't forget the depression you may get too.  The hope is for change soon!

What Celeste (Bubbles) didn't read in the research posted is that if you are going to have a recur you will whether or not you take interferon.  Cases that didn't aren't because of the interferon but because the person wasn't going to have progression anyway.  And the major thing to take away from Dr. Chapman is overall survival doesn't increase with interferon.  So until these new drugs get into stage 3 treatment we're stuck!  The longterm side effects can be bad and permanent and don't forget the depression you may get too.  The hope is for change soon!

Actually, Cooper. I have read the report noted…and many others.  I researched very carefully whether or not I wanted to take interferon when I was first diagnosed with melanoma 10 years ago and at various points since.  While it is most unlikely that interferon does much to prevent disease progression in melanoma….we simultaneously can not definitively say…in those who take it but do NOT progress….that it played NO role….however, small that may be.  And, yes….we can report that over many studies…and years…and lives….overall survival of melanoma is NOT improved by interferon.  (Although there is a recent meta-analysis out a few months ago that showed a very small statistically significant….though clinically NOT…result that interferon, DID, lengthen life….just to keep things confusing!)  But, the ultimate point you made is correct.  Interferon does little.  Has horrid side effects. (Things I noted in my prior comment.) And even worse, we have little or nothing available to patients who are anything less than Stage IV, and even then usually WITH disease.  As a Stage IV, NED patient I was lucky enough to get into an arm of the BMS anti-PD1 (now Nivolumab) trial at Moffitt more than 2 1/2 years ago.  At one point they DID open slots to patients with Stage III disease.  Given my luck and experience, as well as the continuing good results coming out of my study, my arm in particular…I am a firm advocate for treatments like ipi and anti-PD1 (from BMS and Merck) becoming available for patients BEFORE they have advanced to Stage IV.  It just makes sense.  My full story and a great deal of research related to all of this is on my blog.  I continue to work for these treatment options to be available for more patients.  I think if we ALL push our medical centers, researchers, physicians….we have a chance.  Sooner….rather than later.   Yours, c

Actually, Cooper. I have read the report noted…and many others.  I researched very carefully whether or not I wanted to take interferon when I was first diagnosed with melanoma 10 years ago and at various points since.  While it is most unlikely that interferon does much to prevent disease progression in melanoma….we simultaneously can not definitively say…in those who take it but do NOT progress….that it played NO role….however, small that may be.  And, yes….we can report that over many studies…and years…and lives….overall survival of melanoma is NOT improved by interferon.  (Although there is a recent meta-analysis out a few months ago that showed a very small statistically significant….though clinically NOT…result that interferon, DID, lengthen life….just to keep things confusing!)  But, the ultimate point you made is correct.  Interferon does little.  Has horrid side effects. (Things I noted in my prior comment.) And even worse, we have little or nothing available to patients who are anything less than Stage IV, and even then usually WITH disease.  As a Stage IV, NED patient I was lucky enough to get into an arm of the BMS anti-PD1 (now Nivolumab) trial at Moffitt more than 2 1/2 years ago.  At one point they DID open slots to patients with Stage III disease.  Given my luck and experience, as well as the continuing good results coming out of my study, my arm in particular…I am a firm advocate for treatments like ipi and anti-PD1 (from BMS and Merck) becoming available for patients BEFORE they have advanced to Stage IV.  It just makes sense.  My full story and a great deal of research related to all of this is on my blog.  I continue to work for these treatment options to be available for more patients.  I think if we ALL push our medical centers, researchers, physicians….we have a chance.  Sooner….rather than later.   Yours, c

So sorry you did not want to know the scientific reality behind the treatment you are taking.  There are stage III therapies in trial, be sure to look at Clinical Trials for other options.  http://www.clinicaltrials.gov

The labor of treating side effects could possibly be avoided.  And keeping a healthy immune system rather than knocking it down with this toxic drug can be an agressive treatment.

So sorry you did not want to know the scientific reality behind the treatment you are taking.  There are stage III therapies in trial, be sure to look at Clinical Trials for other options.  http://www.clinicaltrials.gov

The labor of treating side effects could possibly be avoided.  And keeping a healthy immune system rather than knocking it down with this toxic drug can be an agressive treatment.