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Braftovi/Mektovi update
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Braftovi/Mektovi update

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Braftovi/Mektovi update

  • Post
    • August 22, 2018 at 7:49 pm
    VinceMart
    Participant

      HI everyone,

      I wanted to provide an update after my PET/CT after 5 weeks on BRAFTOV/MEKTOVI plus Keytruda.
      When I first started this combo the tumor on my arm was shrinking. However, it started growing again and it’s about 1 cm now. Also  3 liver mets almost doubled in size from my last CTscan in May. I guess the one good thing is that it did not show any lung or intestinal mets which it previously did. They did see a new hot spot on a lymph node near my abdomen. So now the plan is to continue with the target therapy(BRAFTOVIMEKTOVI) but stop the Keytruda infusions. I will update after my next appt.
      This wasn’t the news I was hoping for but I’m still hopeful that something will work if not these particular meds.
      Bless you all and stay strong. You are not alone.
      My prayers to all of you.
      Vince

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    • Replies
        • August 22, 2018 at 8:25 pm
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Shoot!  Sorry, Vince.  Melanoma sucks great big green stinky hairy wizard balls!!!  I'm sure your docs will find a viable treatment path for you!!  What's their thinking re stopping Keytruda vs the targeted therapy since "the tumor on my arm was shrinking" when you first started the combo?  Not doubting your docs, just wondering what rationale they had.  Hang in there!!! celeste

            • August 23, 2018 at 12:04 pm
            VinceMart
            Participant

              Hi Celeste,

              I was on Keytruda back in the beginning of the year for several months and things were progressing, so they tried TAF/MEK and things started slowing down, but then I could not handle the side effects.  Dr. wants to see how things go with this targeted therapy alone and said I may need a different immunotherapy rather than Keytruda. Thanks for your encouragement, it is so frustrating getting excited to see some positive responses on treatments, but then it stops working quickly-The Melanoma Rollercoaster!

              Vince

              • August 23, 2018 at 11:18 pm
              Bubbles
              Participant

                Makes sense.  Hang in there!!!  Fingers crossed!! – c

              • August 22, 2018 at 11:24 pm
              Edwin
              Participant

                My melanoma is BRAF negative.  It spread to several more bones, while I received Keytruda immunotherapy.   After switching to Yervoy-Opdivo immunotherapy, my bone cancer disappeared. There is still cancer below my jaw.  Since your cancer is BRAF positive, you have more treatment options than I had.

                  • August 23, 2018 at 12:06 pm
                  VinceMart
                  Participant

                    Hi Edwin,

                    Thank you, my doctor did say that I may need a different immunotherapy.  I am happy to hear Ipi-Nivo worked for you and pray that you have full NED in the near future.

                    Vince

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