Sounds a little painful!

Waiting is so hard..hope you find out good news from the SNB!

Sounds a little painful!

Waiting is so hard..hope you find out good news from the SNB!

Waiting is no FUn!

Have they run any C-kit tests on the

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma tumor?

If postive then Gleevec and  Dasatinib are possible successful treatments that you can try.

Good luck!

Jerryfromfauq

Waiting is no FUn!

Have they run any C-kit tests on the

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma tumor?

If postive then Gleevec and  Dasatinib are possible successful treatments that you can try.

Good luck!

Jerryfromfauq

Mark, I do recommend That if a tumor is identified as either mucousal or Acral Lentiginous Melanoma  that the first of the two c-kit tests be conducted.  The first test can be conducted readily at any laboratory and is low cost.  If the first test is negative that would be the end of the c-kit testing.  My philosophy is that since Mucousal and Acral Lentiginous Melanoma are the most likely to have the c-kit, then one has advance knowledge of what may be the most successful path to follow if there is a re-occurrence.  Advance knowledge is good and reduces last minute terror if a re-occurrence or metastasis does show up. 
   I tried to find a post I made on this subject last year (post=465470), but Do not see how to find the older posts that were created under the MPIP for the past 15 years. 

   I need to make an update on the Oct 2009 post because a recent study has been opened using Dasatinib, which is generally for people that cannot take Gleevec or for which Gleevec has become ineffective. (For melanoma – C-kit is a requirement.)

My email is [email protected]

Gleevec – for C-kit

Posted by JerryfromFauq at 10:41 on Tue, Oct 13, 2009    [Show other posts by JerryfromFauq]

Introduction to C-KIT Treatment – Gleevec ( imatinib mesylate) produced by Norvartis. Developed at Oregon Health and Science University

OHSU Cancer Instutute researchers find abnormalities in gene…

Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008 – 21:08 in Health & Medicine … Gleevec, which was developed at the OHSU Cancer Institute. … GUMC researchers find gene function 'lost' in melanoma and glioblastoma. Mon, 15 Dec 2008, 6:36:13 EST …

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/05/29/ohsu.cancer.instutute.researchers.find.abnormalities.gene.melanoma

FDA Approved in 2001 for: Chronic myeloid leukemia, Philadelphia Chromosome positive chronic myeloid leeujemia ( Chronic and blast phases), Philadelphia Chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, mylodysp;astic/myeloproliferative diseases, aggressive systemic mastocytosis, hyperosinophillis syndrime, , chorinc eosinophilis leukemia, metastic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans ( (a tumor that forms under the top layer of skin) when the tumor cannot be removed surgically, has spread to other parts of the body, or has come back after surgery.), metastic gastroitestinal stromal tumors (GIST; a type of tumor that grows in the walls of the digestive passages and may spread to other parts of the body),

Mode of action:

BCR-ABL, C-KIT, PDGFR

Imatinib is in a class of medications called protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply.

Modified version of Gleevec under development: Name: WBZ_4 The modified version reduces cardiac complications and drops the BCR-ABL mode of action.

The first thing to do is to get tumor material to a laboratory to have the first test run. This test is a simple immunohistochemical stain that can be conducted at any laboratory for c-kit over-expression. If this test is positive then a much more complicated test is required. This second test is a C-kit DNA mutation amplification test. It may take a month or more to get the results of this test.

The best known location (and developer of the DNA mutation test is : (They are used by Johns Hopkins and UVA for the mutation test.)

Oregon Health and Science University

Department of Pathology

Anatomic Pathology Laboratories, Dillehuat Hall Room 5022

3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail code L-471, Portland, Oregon 97239

NIH, Gleevec information

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=medmaster&log$=drug_bottom_one∂=a606018

******************************************************************************

If one has an unknown primary, the C-Kit stain test may give needed guidance for possible treatment options..

If one has had melanoma tumors that may fall in one of the suspect subsets, having the c-kit tests conducted ahead of time can reduce the time and possible false starts to obtaining what may be a successful treatment.

Additional information has recently shown that many head and neck melanoma's (HNMM) also express C-Kit.

The latest information I have seen indicates that Gleevec may also be effective in treating a subset of B-RAF oncoprotein melanoma's. (This falls into the area of one of the “B-RAF wild types”.)

Other studies are showing that Gleevec acting in its ??????????_______??????? mode may also be effective against Glioblastoma's.

One should not have to be stage IV to use the Gleevec. It is approved as a cancer drug and can most likely be obtained if your Doctor decides to go along with it's use and will push for it.

Melanoma is an off-label usage of Gleevec. Some insurance companies fight paying for off-label usage of FDA approved medicines.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII insurance

Insurance & Off label drug usage – Long

**************************************************************************

Early thoughts were that imatinib mesylate might be a “cure-all” for most cancers. It was found in general Melanoma trials in the early 2000's to have little positive effect on melanoma and so most research for use in treating Melanoma was dropped. In May 2008 a paper showing extremely good results on one c-kit over-expression patient with a particular c-kit DNA mutation was written up by F. Stephen Hodi, Philip Friedlander. The Melanoma Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health&id=6264591

It has been learned that not only the initial c-kit immunohistochemical stain expression test was necessary for success with the Gleevec, but that a DNA mutation amplification procedure for a particular DNA mutation of the c-kit oncoprotein in the tumor was required to greatly improve the Gleevec responder rate.

http://www.find-health-articles.com/rec_pub_19035443-pathological-activation-kit-metastatic-tumors-acral-mucosal-melanomas.htm

Research article summary (published 13 Feb 2009):

Pathological activation of KIT in metastatic tumors of acral and mucosal melanomas.

***************************************************

Dr. Wen-Jen Hwu at MDA is also doing work on Imatinib mesylate on Melanoma at MDA . She provided the following information/protocol:

As you remember from our conversation that approximately 30% – 40% of mucosal and acral lentiginous melanoma have c-kit over expression/mutation. I routinely ask our pathologist

to do an immunohistochemical stain of c-kit (this can be done easily at any local pathology lab) and only takes 2-3 days to get the results. If the c-kit expression is seen in majority of the tumor cells, then I will ask for molecular testing for c-kit mutation.

If the immunohistochemical stain of c-kit shows positive in majority of tumor cell, I would start Gleevec in combination with temozolomide as the following:

1. Gleevec: 200 mg oral twice daily for 4 weeks if no toxicity

(most common is GI toxicity) then increase to 400 mg twice daily.  If can't tolerate the high dose, then decrease to 200 mg twice daily.

2. Temozolomide: 75 mg/m2/day oral for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks off.

Each treatment cycle is 8 weeks. You should have a CT scan right before starting this combination therapy as a baseline study, then repeat scan after each 8 weeks of treatment to evaluate the disease response.  If the disease improves or remains stable, continue the 8 weeks treatments.  If there is any new tumor or further progression, then stop the treatment.

*****************************************************************************

The above protocol was successful in cases of metastases to other organs, including the brain. Preliminary results show that if both tests are positive, there is a 40-50% chance that a positive Gleevec response will be obtained. This is the highest success rate of anything I've found on any type of melanoma.

Initially for melanoma, Gleevec was only considered for melanoma's subsets that fell within the following two subsets, Mucosal and Acral lentiginous Melanoma. (ALM).

*********************************

I passed the immunohistochemical stain test for the C-Kit. The paraffin block was sent to Oregon for the DNA mutation amplification test. The following response was received, “We isolated DNA from the tumor, but it was heavily contaminated by melanin pigment. Unfortunately, melanin co-purifies the DNA and is a well known inhibitor of PCR reactions. We were unable to amplify the DNA despite repeated attempts. It there is a less pigmented tumor available from another site, we would welcome the opportunity to test it."

Due to the limited options available, the high probability of the mutation occurring in mucosal melanoma and the usually milder side effects of Gleevec, my oncologist requested approval from the insurance company to go ahead with the usage of Gleevec. They agreed.

A listing of observed side effects is at the following URL.

http://www.patientsville.com/medication/gleevec10_side_effects.htm#question

NIH list of Gleevec side effects:

Imatinib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

diarrhea

constipation

gas

nausea

vomiting

loss of appetite

indigestion

joint pain

muscle cramps

depression

anxiety

night sweats

teary eyes

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately:

puffiness under the eyes

swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

weight gain

shortness of breath

fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat

difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

fainting

coughing up pink or bloody mucus

increased urination, especially at night

chest pain

fever

rash or blisters

yellowing of the skin or eyes

blood in the stool

unusual bruising or bleeding

sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection

excessive tiredness or weakness

headache

dizziness

Imatinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication

Mark, I do recommend That if a tumor is identified as either mucousal or Acral Lentiginous Melanoma  that the first of the two c-kit tests be conducted.  The first test can be conducted readily at any laboratory and is low cost.  If the first test is negative that would be the end of the c-kit testing.  My philosophy is that since Mucousal and Acral Lentiginous Melanoma are the most likely to have the c-kit, then one has advance knowledge of what may be the most successful path to follow if there is a re-occurrence.  Advance knowledge is good and reduces last minute terror if a re-occurrence or metastasis does show up. 
   I tried to find a post I made on this subject last year (post=465470), but Do not see how to find the older posts that were created under the MPIP for the past 15 years. 

   I need to make an update on the Oct 2009 post because a recent study has been opened using Dasatinib, which is generally for people that cannot take Gleevec or for which Gleevec has become ineffective. (For melanoma – C-kit is a requirement.)

My email is [email protected]

Gleevec – for C-kit

Posted by JerryfromFauq at 10:41 on Tue, Oct 13, 2009    [Show other posts by JerryfromFauq]

Introduction to C-KIT Treatment – Gleevec ( imatinib mesylate) produced by Norvartis. Developed at Oregon Health and Science University

OHSU Cancer Instutute researchers find abnormalities in gene…

Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008 – 21:08 in Health & Medicine … Gleevec, which was developed at the OHSU Cancer Institute. … GUMC researchers find gene function 'lost' in melanoma and glioblastoma. Mon, 15 Dec 2008, 6:36:13 EST …

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/05/29/ohsu.cancer.instutute.researchers.find.abnormalities.gene.melanoma

FDA Approved in 2001 for: Chronic myeloid leukemia, Philadelphia Chromosome positive chronic myeloid leeujemia ( Chronic and blast phases), Philadelphia Chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, mylodysp;astic/myeloproliferative diseases, aggressive systemic mastocytosis, hyperosinophillis syndrime, , chorinc eosinophilis leukemia, metastic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans ( (a tumor that forms under the top layer of skin) when the tumor cannot be removed surgically, has spread to other parts of the body, or has come back after surgery.), metastic gastroitestinal stromal tumors (GIST; a type of tumor that grows in the walls of the digestive passages and may spread to other parts of the body),

Mode of action:

BCR-ABL, C-KIT, PDGFR

Imatinib is in a class of medications called protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply.

Modified version of Gleevec under development: Name: WBZ_4 The modified version reduces cardiac complications and drops the BCR-ABL mode of action.

The first thing to do is to get tumor material to a laboratory to have the first test run. This test is a simple immunohistochemical stain that can be conducted at any laboratory for c-kit over-expression. If this test is positive then a much more complicated test is required. This second test is a C-kit DNA mutation amplification test. It may take a month or more to get the results of this test.

The best known location (and developer of the DNA mutation test is : (They are used by Johns Hopkins and UVA for the mutation test.)

Oregon Health and Science University

Department of Pathology

Anatomic Pathology Laboratories, Dillehuat Hall Room 5022

3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail code L-471, Portland, Oregon 97239

NIH, Gleevec information

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=medmaster&log$=drug_bottom_one∂=a606018

******************************************************************************

If one has an unknown primary, the C-Kit stain test may give needed guidance for possible treatment options..

If one has had melanoma tumors that may fall in one of the suspect subsets, having the c-kit tests conducted ahead of time can reduce the time and possible false starts to obtaining what may be a successful treatment.

Additional information has recently shown that many head and neck melanoma's (HNMM) also express C-Kit.

The latest information I have seen indicates that Gleevec may also be effective in treating a subset of B-RAF oncoprotein melanoma's. (This falls into the area of one of the “B-RAF wild types”.)

Other studies are showing that Gleevec acting in its ??????????_______??????? mode may also be effective against Glioblastoma's.

One should not have to be stage IV to use the Gleevec. It is approved as a cancer drug and can most likely be obtained if your Doctor decides to go along with it's use and will push for it.

Melanoma is an off-label usage of Gleevec. Some insurance companies fight paying for off-label usage of FDA approved medicines.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII insurance

Insurance & Off label drug usage – Long

**************************************************************************

Early thoughts were that imatinib mesylate might be a “cure-all” for most cancers. It was found in general Melanoma trials in the early 2000's to have little positive effect on melanoma and so most research for use in treating Melanoma was dropped. In May 2008 a paper showing extremely good results on one c-kit over-expression patient with a particular c-kit DNA mutation was written up by F. Stephen Hodi, Philip Friedlander. The Melanoma Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health&id=6264591

It has been learned that not only the initial c-kit immunohistochemical stain expression test was necessary for success with the Gleevec, but that a DNA mutation amplification procedure for a particular DNA mutation of the c-kit oncoprotein in the tumor was required to greatly improve the Gleevec responder rate.

http://www.find-health-articles.com/rec_pub_19035443-pathological-activation-kit-metastatic-tumors-acral-mucosal-melanomas.htm

Research article summary (published 13 Feb 2009):

Pathological activation of KIT in metastatic tumors of acral and mucosal melanomas.

***************************************************

Dr. Wen-Jen Hwu at MDA is also doing work on Imatinib mesylate on Melanoma at MDA . She provided the following information/protocol:

As you remember from our conversation that approximately 30% – 40% of mucosal and acral lentiginous melanoma have c-kit over expression/mutation. I routinely ask our pathologist

to do an immunohistochemical stain of c-kit (this can be done easily at any local pathology lab) and only takes 2-3 days to get the results. If the c-kit expression is seen in majority of the tumor cells, then I will ask for molecular testing for c-kit mutation.

If the immunohistochemical stain of c-kit shows positive in majority of tumor cell, I would start Gleevec in combination with temozolomide as the following:

1. Gleevec: 200 mg oral twice daily for 4 weeks if no toxicity

(most common is GI toxicity) then increase to 400 mg twice daily.  If can't tolerate the high dose, then decrease to 200 mg twice daily.

2. Temozolomide: 75 mg/m2/day oral for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks off.

Each treatment cycle is 8 weeks. You should have a CT scan right before starting this combination therapy as a baseline study, then repeat scan after each 8 weeks of treatment to evaluate the disease response.  If the disease improves or remains stable, continue the 8 weeks treatments.  If there is any new tumor or further progression, then stop the treatment.

*****************************************************************************

The above protocol was successful in cases of metastases to other organs, including the brain. Preliminary results show that if both tests are positive, there is a 40-50% chance that a positive Gleevec response will be obtained. This is the highest success rate of anything I've found on any type of melanoma.

Initially for melanoma, Gleevec was only considered for melanoma's subsets that fell within the following two subsets, Mucosal and Acral lentiginous Melanoma. (ALM).

*********************************

I passed the immunohistochemical stain test for the C-Kit. The paraffin block was sent to Oregon for the DNA mutation amplification test. The following response was received, “We isolated DNA from the tumor, but it was heavily contaminated by melanin pigment. Unfortunately, melanin co-purifies the DNA and is a well known inhibitor of PCR reactions. We were unable to amplify the DNA despite repeated attempts. It there is a less pigmented tumor available from another site, we would welcome the opportunity to test it."

Due to the limited options available, the high probability of the mutation occurring in mucosal melanoma and the usually milder side effects of Gleevec, my oncologist requested approval from the insurance company to go ahead with the usage of Gleevec. They agreed.

A listing of observed side effects is at the following URL.

http://www.patientsville.com/medication/gleevec10_side_effects.htm#question

NIH list of Gleevec side effects:

Imatinib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

diarrhea

constipation

gas

nausea

vomiting

loss of appetite

indigestion

joint pain

muscle cramps

depression

anxiety

night sweats

teary eyes

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately:

puffiness under the eyes

swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

weight gain

shortness of breath

fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat

difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

fainting

coughing up pink or bloody mucus

increased urination, especially at night

chest pain

fever

rash or blisters

yellowing of the skin or eyes

blood in the stool

unusual bruising or bleeding

sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection

excessive tiredness or weakness

headache

dizziness

Imatinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication

I hate to wait for anything I like immediate results. I hope this all turns out well for you and that you are not in too much pain after your procedure.

I hate to wait for anything I like immediate results. I hope this all turns out well for you and that you are not in too much pain after your procedure.